Crohn's Disease
(IBD (Crohn's Disease) · Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease))
In this condition factsheet:
The Facts on Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic condition in which there is chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or "bowel." It is one type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Another type of IBD is ulcerative colitis. While Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive system from the mouth to the anus, it occurs more commonly in the ileum (part of the small intestine) and colon (large intestine).
Most cases of Crohn's disease are diagnosed before the age of 30, but it can affect people of any age group. Crohn's disease isn't usually fatal, but it can be a lifelong inconvenience. There is no definitive cure.
Causes of Crohn's Disease
The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unclear, although there is an autoimmune element. That means the body's natural defenses, which are normally supposed to fight infection, think the intestine is foreign and attack the body's own tissue, leading to inflammation. Autoimmune diseases run in families. About one-quarter of Crohn's patients have relatives who also suffer from IBD.
It is also believed that a virus or bacteria may be involved, which may cause the initial damage to the lining of the GI tract. However, it is not yet known which organism might be involved.
Symptoms and Complications of Crohn's Disease
The first signs of Crohn's disease are usually abdominal pains and diarrhea after eating. Other symptoms include:
- abdominal tenderness or swelling
- blood in the stool
- fatigue
- fever
- loss of appetite
- rectal bleeding
- stomach cramps
- weight loss
Some symptoms do not affect the digestive system. These include joint pain, eye inflammation or red eye, and skin problems. Children tend to show more of these symptoms, and they may lack abdominal pain or diarrhea until later in life.
Crohn's disease tends to come and go. A person can often go months without a symptom. During a flare-up, the bleeding can be quite severe. Some people with active Crohn's disease develop anemia (lack of blood iron from blood loss), leading to weakness and pale skin.
Crohn's disease is associated with several complications, many of which are linked to the constant inflammation of the bowel and to the person's abnormal immune system. Here are some of the most common ones:
- partial obstruction of the bowel, which causes vomiting and constipation
- poor absorption of food (malabsorption), which results in nutritional deficiencies
- fistulas, which are sores that tunnel through from the GI tract to another organ (like the bladder or vagina), to other parts of the intestine, or to the skin surface (they may exit the body near the anus). Fistulas are often very painful and can be life threatening if left untreated.
- anal fissures, which are cracks in the anus that may be painful and cause bleeding
- strictures (abnormal narrowing of a portion of the intestine)
- infections
- increased risk of colorectal cancer
- arthritis
- skin problems
- inflammation in the eyes or mouth
- dehydration
- stunted growth in children
A few people with Crohn's disease have no problems in the short term except for one or more symptoms such as skin lesions or arthritis. These people sometimes wait years before they are diagnosed with Crohn's disease.
