🦠 What Is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, most commonly affecting the small intestine and/or the beginning of the large intestine. However, it can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract—from the mouth to the anus.
It is a lifelong condition that can flare up and go into remission.
🔍 Causes (Exact cause unknown, but may include):
- Immune system dysfunction (abnormal response attacking the GI tract)
- Genetic factors (family history increases risk)
- Environmental factors (diet, stress, smoking)
- Gut microbiome imbalance
⚠️ Symptoms:
- Abdominal pain or cramping (often in the lower right side)
- Chronic diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus)
- Fatigue and weakness
- Weight loss and poor appetite
- Fever
- Mouth sores
- Joint pain or skin issues (extraintestinal symptoms)
🔁 Symptoms often come in flare-ups, followed by periods of remission.
🩺 Diagnosis:
- Blood tests (anemia, inflammation markers)
- Stool tests (to rule out infection)
- Colonoscopy or endoscopy (to view inflammation and take biopsies)
- Imaging (CT or MRI) to assess inflammation or complications
💊 Treatment:
There is no cure, but treatment helps manage symptoms and reduce flare-ups:
Medications:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., mesalamine)
- Corticosteroids (for short-term inflammation control)
- Immunosuppressants (e.g., azathioprine)
- Biologics (e.g., infliximab, adalimumab)
- Antibiotics (for complications like abscesses)
Other Treatments:
- Nutritional therapy (special diets or supplements)
- Surgery (if complications like strictures, fistulas, or severe inflammation occur)
🛡️ Lifestyle & Diet Tips:
- Eat a low-residue or low-fiber diet during flares
- Avoid trigger foods (e.g., dairy, fatty or spicy foods)
- Stay hydrated
- Don’t smoke
- Manage stress
🧠 Complications:
- Intestinal blockages or strictures
- Fistulas (abnormal connections between organs)
- Abscesses
- Malnutrition
- Colon cancer (long-term inflammation increases risk)