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Crohn's Disease: Do You Have It

by: AlexMorgan
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Crohn's disease is relatively common, with approximately 1 in every 1500 people suffering from the condition, although it occurs slightly more often in women and in smokers. The disease causes inflammation of the lining of the walls of the digestive tract and can occur anywhere along its length; but is most often found in patches of the small and large intestine. Symptoms vary for person to person, both in severity and frequency . Some people have very mild symptoms and the disease can go undiagnosed for years. Others will have very severe, frequent attacks and will require hospitalization.

In Crohn's disease the lining of part of the digestive tract becomes swollen and painful. Ulcers may form which can then bleed, or on healing, can leave scar tissue that narrows the tract and cause a complete blockage. Sufferers will often experience pain, its location depending on the exact site of the inflammation. If the intestine is affected the pain will occur in the lower right abdominal area and is sometimes mistaken for appendicitis.

Diarrhea is a common symptom, although not universal. It varies from mild to severe and can be mixed with blood, pus or mucus. You may feel an urgent need to go to the toilet. It is common to feel you want to go to the toilet but have nothing to pass (tenesmus). The disease also causes a general feeling of being unwell, with a loss of appetite, weight loss, fever and extreme tiredness. If blood loss is heavy, anemia can occur and if large parts of the bowel are affected, you may not be able to absorb food properly leading to vitamin and nutrient deficiency. Sometimes the skin of the anus may become cracked, bleeding and painful.

Crohn's disease is suspected in people who have displayed its most common symptoms for more than three weeks, these include weight loss, diarrhea and pain. Various tests are then performed to confirm the diagnosis. These will include blood and stool samples, examination of the small or large intestine be endoscope , barium X-rays and biopsies taken from the area affected.

Following diagnosis, there are a variety of treatment options. Medication is prescribed, depending on the extent and severity of the disease. For mild symptoms, a group of drugs called 5-aminosalicylates are used to calm the inflammation and reduce its effects. For more severe symptoms, steroids are often given and these can prove to be highly effective. However, because of their side effects, steroids are not commonly given over a long period of time. Drugs such as antibiotics are sometimes needed to fight infection, and dietary supplements,e.g. iron,may be given to people who have become debilitated through the disease.

If symptoms are particularly bad and cannot be controlled with medication, a strict diet may be prescribed for a few weeks, after which a normal diet can gradually be resumed. However in some cases, surgery may be required to remove the affected part of the digestive tract or to treat complications of the disease such as obstructions or abscesses. About 80% of people with moderate symptoms will require surgery at some time or another.

Despite the above, most people with Crohn's disease are able to live normal lives. Research continues into finding a cure for the condition and finding new and more effective treatments. There is hope that some of theses new treatment drugs will be available in the next decade.

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Crohn's Disease: Do You Have It

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