Doctor's Notes on Crohn's Disease Anatomy
Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that involves chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus can be affected by Crohn's disease, although it most commonly affects the end of the small intestine called the terminal ileum and the beginning of the large intestine called the cecum.
Symptoms of Crohn's disease include pain in the abdomen that may make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Other symptoms of Crohn's disease include
- bloating,
- constipation, or
- pain or
- bleeding with a bowel movement.
Complications of Crohn's disease include urinary tract infections (UTIs), vaginal infections, blockage in the intestine due to thickening of the intestinal walls, ulcers or fissures that may tunnel through the affected area into surrounding areas, fistulas, thickening of the wall due to acute inflammation that causes narrowing of the lumen of the small intestine, scar tissue resulting from the healing process that can lead to a narrowed bowel, and strictures.
What Is the Treatment for Crohn's Disease?
The treatment for Crohn’s disease usually consists of medical therapies and dietary changes to decrease symptoms and induce remission. Surgical treatments are usually only used if medical treatments are inadequate or if there is an emergency reason for surgery (such as a blockage or a perforation).
Medical therapies used to treat Crohn’s disease include:
- Oral 5-aminosalicylates (e.g., sulfasalazine, mesalamine)
- Glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisone, budesonide)
- Immunomodulators (e.g., azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate)
- Biologic therapies (e.g., infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, natalizumab, vedolizumab, ustekinumab)
Other therapies used for Crohn’s disease include:
- Antidiarrheals
- Loperamide
- Cholestyramine or other bile sequestrants
- Colestipol or colesevelam
- Probiotics
- Dietary interventions
- Avoid food triggers
- Lactose
- Add vitamin supplements
- Foods to eat:
- Low fiber fruits (bananas, melons, apple sauce)
- Refined grains (white rice, breads)
- Lean proteins (chicken breast, fish)
Surgery when needed often involves removal of the affected segment of bowel (resection), then when possible, the two ends of healthy bowel are joined together (anastomosis).
Must Read Articles:
-
Abdominal Pain (Adults)
Learn about causes, symptoms, and treatment of abdominal pain in adults and when to seek medical care for related conditions such as pancreatitis, diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and more. -
Anatomy of the Digestive System
Digestion is the process in which food is broken into smaller pieces so the body can use them to build and nourish cells and provide energy. The digestive system is comprised of the mouth and salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. -
Constipation (Adults)
Constipation in adults refers to difficulty in passing stools or a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements. Causes of constipation in adults include a poor diet, excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption, inadequate fluid intake, poor bowel habits, certain medications, pregnancy, certain diseases or conditions, age, and more. Treatment for constipation include lifestyle changes, OTC remedies, and medication if necessary. -
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease (Crohn disease) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and is a chronic long-term inflammation of the digestive tract. The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. Symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, bloating, and infections of the urinary tract and vagina. Treatment for Crohn's disease includes lifestyle changes in diet, medication, and surgery. -
Crohn's Disease Diet
People with Crohn's disease have many challenges, particularly their dietary and nutritional needs. Some foods may aggravate symptoms, while other foods may not cause problems. Malnutrition is a concern with people with Crohn's disease. Foods that may aggravate symptoms include high fiber foods like popcorn, nuts, and vegetables, alcohol, milk and other dairy products, spicy foods, fatty foods, and fried foods. Often, a parenteral nutrition (TPN) or elemental diet may be recommended to reduce symptoms of Crohn's disease. -
Crohn's Disease FAQs
Crohn's disease (Crohn disease) is a chronic condition that is characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn's disease is considered an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and fever. Treatment options include diet changes, medication, and surgery. The prognosis for Crohn's disease depends on the patient and the areas affected by Crohn's disease. -
Crohn's Disease in Children and Teens
Crohn's disease is an inflammation of the small intestine. Crohn's disease is also referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn's disease in children and teens generally develop symptoms before the age of 20. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, appetite loss, and slowed growth. Management of Crohn's disease in children and teens is possible with medication and lifestyle changes. -
Crohn's Disease Treatment Medications (Side Effects, List)
Crohn's disease medications prescribed for the treatment of the disease, and symptom relief include aspirin like anti-inflammatories, for example, mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa, Apriso, Lialda, Canasa, Rowasa), olsalazine (Dipentum), and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, EN-Tabs). Corticosteroids, for example, budesonide (Entocort), methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol), prednisolone (Delta-Cortef), and prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone). Immunosuppressants, for example, azathioprine (Imuran), 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol), and methotrexate (Folex). Biologic drugs, for example, infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), and certolimumab (Cimzia). Review the list of these drugs and their side effects. -
Crohn's Disease: Living With Crohn's Disease
Living with Crohn's disease can be stressful, depressing, and frustrating. Crohn's disease is not curable, but there are a variety of things that can improve the quality-of-life for people with the disease, for example, medications, lifestyle changes, diet, and surgery. -
Crohn’s Disease vs. Ulcerative Colitis: What's the Difference?
Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that cause similar symptoms. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, while ulcerative colitis affects only the colon. In Crohn's disease, pain is felt throughout the entire abdomen while in ulcerative colitis, the pain is usually localized to the left side of the abdomen. -
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, parasites, intestinal diseases or conditions, reactions to medications, and food intolerance or allergies. Symptoms of diarrhea include watery stools, abdominal cramping, fever, and dehydration. Most cases of diarrhea can be treated at home. In some cases (in the elderly, small children, or those with severe or chronic medical conditions) may need to be hospitalized due to dehydration. -
Endoscopy Procedure: Diagnosing Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease can be diagnosed by a variety of procedures and tests such as endoscopy. There are several different names for endoscopy, and it depends on what part of the digestive tract being examined. Types of endoscopy include esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic ultrasound, and balloon endoscopy, or enteroscopy. Preparation for endoscopy depends on the type of test being performed. Signs and symptoms of diarrhea, weight loss, fever, anemia, decrease in appetite, nausea, and abdominal pain and cramping. -
How Do You Get Crohn's Disease?
The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is not known, but it is believed that genetic and environmental factors contribute to developing the condition. Triggers for Crohn's flares include not taking medication, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, stress, foods that irritate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and others. -
How Do You Get Crohn’s Disease?
A coworker of mine has Crohn's disease and I’m worried I might contract it. Is Crohn's disease contagious? -
Stomach Pain (Abdominal Pain) in Children
Abdominal pain in children can range from trivial to life-threatening. Symptoms of abdominal pain range from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, groin pain, urinary problems, or skin rash. The location of the abdominal pain may be around the belly button, occurs only at night, while eating. The pain pain also may be intermittent. Treatment of abdominal pain in children is depends on the cause. Possible causes of abdominal pain in children include infections, food related (food allergy or food poisoning), poisoning from medication, food, household products, appendicitis, diabetes, or spider bites. -
What Are the Best Foods to Eat with Crohn's Disease?
Crohn's disease does not require a specific diet, but it does help to eat certain healthy foods in that are easier on your digestive tract and prevent flares (worsening symptoms). These foods include low-fiber fruits, lean protein, refined grains, and fully-cooked vegetables. -
What Are The Five Types of Crohn's Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. There are five types of Crohn’s disease that affect different parts of the digestive tract. These types include Ileocolitis, Ileitis, Gastroduodenal Crohn's disease, Jejunoileitis, and Crohn's (granulomatous) colitis. -
What Are the Warning Signs of Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Warning signs can include fevers, fatigue, diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, abdominal pain/cramping, nausea, vomiting, cramping, loss of appetite, weight loss, gastrointestinal ulcers, rectal bleeding/blood in stool, and others. -
What Does Crohn's Pain Feel Like?
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgent need to have a bowel movement, abdominal pain that feels like cramping, feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation, and constipation (may lead to bowel obstruction). Other symptoms may include eye problems, mouth sores, joint pain and swelling, skin problems, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, and more. -
What Triggers Crohn's Disease?
Triggers for Crohn’s disease flares include not taking medications as prescribed, using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), using antibiotics, physical and emotional stress, eating foods that irritate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, smoking, and infections.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.