What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic digestive ailment that causes intestinal inflammation and damage. This disease is classified under Inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD). Inflammatory bowel disorders are a range of diseases that affect the intestines.

Ulcerative colitis, the other major type of IBD, is characterized by chronic inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon and rectum.

Irritable bowel disease, like ulcerative or Crohn’s colitis, should not be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Although the two disorders seem similar and have certain symptoms, they are vastly different.

While specialists are still working to figure out what causes IBD, it’s widely assumed that the body misidentifies benign gut flora as an adversary. This produces persistent inflammation of the digestive tract as a result of the body’s natural defenses.

According to facts reported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Crohn’s disease most usually affects the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine (colon), but inflammation can develop elsewhere in the digestive tract (NIDDK).

Crohn’s disease has no cure, although there are several therapies that can help control the symptoms. Most persons with Crohn’s disease experience remissions when they have no symptoms, and flares, when their symptoms intensify.

Types of Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is classified into numerous categories depending on which part of the digestive tract is affected.

Ileocolitis

According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, this is the most common form of Crohn’s disease. It affects both the ileum (the end of the small intestine) and the large intestine (colon).

Ileitis

Only the ileum is attacked by this sort of Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s Colitis

This disease is a type of colitis that affects the intestine. This type of colitis, also known as granulomatous colitis, affects only the colon.

Gastroduodenal Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease of the stomach and duodenum. This type of sickness affects both the stomach and the small intestine’s beginning (duodenum).

Jejunoileitis

Patches of inflammation in the top portion of the small intestine characterize this type of Crohn’s disease (jejunum).

Signs and Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease

No two patients with Crohn’s disease have the same symptoms. What regions of your bowel are damaged, as well as how advanced your disease is and how effectively your therapies are functioning, will determine your symptoms.

The majority of persons with Crohn’s disease have inflammation in both their small and large intestines (colon), which results in diarrhea, stomach pain, and cramping.

Rectal bleeding, loss of appetite, an urgent need to defecate, and constipation are all common digestive symptoms.

Crohn’s disease can also cause fatigue or nausea, weight loss, and indications outside the digestive system, like red or itchy eyes, joint pain, and bumpy or inflamed skin.

Risk Factors and Causes of Crohn’s Disease

The exact causes of Crohn’s disease are yet to be identified. An autoimmune reaction could be the source. There’s some indication that the immune system targets beneficial bacteria that live in the human gut inadvertently.

According to experts, a person’s susceptibility to the disease is influenced by a combination of hereditary and environmental variables.

Crohn’s disease is linked to the following risk factors:

Genes

While no single gene has been established as the cause of Crohn’s disease, scientists have discovered over 200 genetic variants that may increase the disease’s risk.

History of the Family

Crohn’s disease appears to be hereditary. According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, 5 to 20% of people with Crohn’s disease have a sibling or parent who also has it.

If one or both of your parents has Crohn’s disease, you have a 7 to 9% chance of getting IBD as well. Nevertheless, as reported by the National Human Genome Research Institute, your risk is substantially higher if both of your parents have the condition.

Where You Reside

In industrialized countries, Crohn’s disease is more common than in undeveloped countries. It’s also more prevalent in cities than in rural areas.

Cigarette Smoking

A reported that smokers are nearly twice as plausible as nonsmokers to develop Crohn’s disease.

Certain Medications

Antibiotics, birth control pills, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) can all increase your risk of Crohn’s disease.

What Is the Procedure for Diagnosing Crohn’s Disease?

A detailed medical history, a physical exam, and a set of tests to rule out other disorders that may produce similar symptoms are the initial steps in diagnosing Crohn’s disease. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, and lactose intolerance are among them.

A physician will examine your belly for bloating, edema, and painful or irritated places during a physical exam.

Blood tests, colonoscopy, stool tests, upper GI (gastrointestinal) endoscopy, wireless capsule endoscopy, and imaging tests including X-rays and computerized tomography (CT) scans are often required to identify Crohn’s disease.

Duration of Crohn’s Disease Flares

A flare is a duration of time when Crohn’s disease symptoms are particularly intense. The duration of a flare varies greatly from person to person. However, it can continue anywhere from a few days to several months in most cases.

If you don’t manage a flare, it can lead to long-term issues and damage, so consult with your physician to originate a treatment plan.

Remission is a space of time when a person with Crohn’s disease has no symptoms. It can persist for days, weeks, or even years.

The goal of Crohn’s disease treatment is to achieve and maintain remission.

Treatment and Medication Options for Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is normally treated with a combination of medications.

Some of these medications are designed to keep your symptoms from returning or worsening during flares of your disease. Others are provided to relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation when a flare occurs. Antibiotics may be used to treat symptoms or complications caused by a bacterial infection. Most persons with Crohn’s disease will reach a point where medication alone will no longer suffice, and surgery will be required.

Surgical therapies may involve the removal of a diseased section of the intestines, the opening of a narrowed or a blocked portion, or even the removal of the entire colon.

The majority of surgical therapies allow persons with Crohn’s disease to live symptom-free for years. Alternative therapy can also aid in symptom reduction and remission maintenance. Supplements such as probiotics have been shown to shorten the length of flares in studies.

What Effect Does Your Diet Have on Crohn’s Disease?

There is no one-size-fits-all diet that can help everyone with Crohn’s disease.

Certain dietary adjustments may help alleviate uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea that occur during flares.

Certain whole grains, raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, fatty or greasy foods, spicy foods, caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, and dairy products are all known to cause symptoms.

If you have Crohn’s disease and are experiencing malnutrition, you may need to concentrate on getting enough of particular nutrients in your diet.

It’s generally beneficial to focus on easy-to-digest meals and snacks when your symptoms are at their worst.

Crohn’s Disease Complications

Crohn’s disease is characterized by chronic inflammation and injury to the gut wall, which can result in a variety of problems.

The majority of these issues affect the digestive system. However, some may occur in other parts of the body.

Intestinal blockage is a frequent digestive condition that occurs when inflammation causes scar tissue to build up and constrict a region of the intestines.

Tears in the anus, pockets of infection, malnutrition, and even colon cancer are all possible digestive issues. People who have Crohn’s disease are more likely to develop fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), an ailment characterized by inflammation of the liver’s bile duct system.

Crohn’s disease can also create troubles in other parts of the body, such as problems with the mouth, joints, skin, and eyes. It can also cause complications while pregnant.

How Many People Have Crohn’s Disease?

According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, almost three million people in the United States suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

According to studies, the illness has become more widespread in the United States and a few other countries for unknown causes.

Crohn’s disease is most typically diagnosed in teenagers and adults between the ages of 20 and 30. However, it can occur at any age. Both men and women are equally susceptible.

Persons of European ancestry, particularly those of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, are more likely to contract the disease than people of other races.