In the United States, over half a million people live with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This chronic condition, which is also known as ileitis or regional enteritis, causes inflammation and irritation in the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease can be debilitating and painful, leading to serious health complications if left untreated.
Although there is no known cure for Crohn’s disease, certain therapies can help reduce its symptoms and signs. Some can even bring about inflammation relief and long-term remission. By speaking with an expert and getting treatment, you can get help for symptoms and live a healthy and productive life.
Understanding Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease is a lifelong bowel disease that causes inflammation in your digestive tract. For most people, Crohn’s disease affects the small intestine and the first part of the large intestine, where the inflammation reaches the deepest layers of the bowel. The disease, however, can impact any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.
The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Anal fissures
- Blood in the stool
- Fatigue
- Mouth sores
- Weight loss
- Reduced appetite
People who have severe Crohn’s disease can also experience symptoms outside of the digestive tract, including:
- Anemia
- Kidney stones
- Delayed growth in children
- Inflammation of the liver
- Inflammation of the skin, eyes, and joints
Although doctors are not sure what causes Crohn’s disease, some people are more prone to developing the condition than others, pointing to factors that might affect the disease’s development.
Crohn’s disease can run in families. This means that your genes may impact your risk of developing the disease.
An autoimmune reaction may also be the cause of Crohn’s disease. If you have an autoimmune disease, your body attacks healthy cells. In these cases, doctors think that the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the stomach.
There are also lifestyle factors that can increase your chances of developing Crohn’s disease, including smoking and eating a high-fat diet, as well as regularly taking NSAIDs.
Complications of Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease can lead to severe and even life-threatening complications.
Intestinal Obstruction
Crohn’s disease can thicken the walls of your intestines. As time passes, this thickening can narrow the intestines, blocking them. A complete or partial intestinal obstruction called a bowel blockage can block the movement of stool or food through your digestive system.
Abscesses
If the inflammation goes through the wall of your intestine, it can create abscesses, which are pockets of infection that are painful, pus-filled, and swollen.
Ulcers
The inflammation that Crohn’s disease causes can lead to sores (ulcers) anywhere on your digestive tract.
Fistulas
When inflammation affects your intestines’ walls, it can create small tunnels called fistulas. Fistulas are abnormal passages between organs or between the outside of your body and an organ. They have a high risk of becoming infected.
Malnutrition
The chronic diarrhea that Crohn’s disease causes can make it difficult for your body to absorb the nutrients it needs. A common result is anemia.
Colon cancer
Crohn’s disease affecting your large intestine can also increase your chances of developing colon cancer.
Crohn’s disease treatment options
Anti-inflammatory medications can help treat the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. These medications might include corticosteroids.
Immune system suppressors can also help with symptoms, with a combination of drugs usually working best.
Biologics is another option. These medications target proteins your immune system makes. One of the most effective is vedolizumab, which prevents certain immune cell molecules from binding to other cells in your intestinal lining.
Other frequently recommended medications include antidiarrheals and mild painkillers.
Nutrition therapy is another way to manage Crohn’s disease. Bowel rest, as this technique is called, consists of receiving a special diet through the mouth or a feeding tube or getting nutrients intravenously. This can help reduce inflammation. Your doctor may recommend surgery if lifestyle changes and other less invasive treatments don’t work. During this surgery, your surgeon removes the damaged portion of your digestive tract.
Improve your quality of life
Crohn’s disease, like other chronic illnesses, can take a toll on your emotional and mental well-being. It can contribute to anxiety, depression, a poor self-image, and even substance abuse.
Many organizations aim to help those struggling with Crohn’s disease and other forms of IBD, including:
- Connecting to Cure Crohn’s and Colitis
- IBD Support Foundation
- Hoag IBD Virtual Support Group
- Girls With Guts
There is always help available. Don’t let yourself struggle for years with this condition without reaching out to experts for guidance.
Resource links:
- “Definition & Facts for Crohn’s Disease” via National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- “Symptoms and Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease” via Crohn's and Colitis Foundation
- “What Is Crohn’s Disease?” via Autoimmune Association
- “The Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Patients” via Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation
