Crohn’s disease causes inflammation along the walls of the digestive system, most often in the small and large intestines. It is a chronic condition with periods of flare ups and remissions. Although the exact causes of the disease are unknown, it is thought to have some genetic factor and is found more often in women and in smokers. The symptoms of the illness can vary greatly among people, both in the frequency and severity of attacks.
Inflammation of the digestive tract causes the area to become red and painfully swollen. Pain varies according to the site and severity of the flare up, but is often reported in the lower right side of the abdomen. Ulceration of the wall lining can also occur which causes the digestive tract to become further narrowed and will lead to blood in the feces. Eventually the digestive tract can become completely obstructed.
Diarrhea is a very common symptom of the disease and is often mixed with blood or pus. People will feel an urgency to go to the toilet, and many will also experience tenesmus, a feeling of needing to go to the toilet but having nothing to pass when you get there. General health can deteriorate as sufferers become anaemic due to heavy bleeding, or deficient in some vitamins and minerals since they are unable to absorb food properly. This causes weight loss and severe tiredness.
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.
Once diagnosed, the treatment prescribed depends on the extent and severity of symptoms. Medication can often calm the inflammation, keep the symptoms down, and reduce the likelihood of relapse. If symptoms are severe, a course of steroids may be given for a few weeks. In about 70% of cases, the symptoms improve within four weeks of starting steroids. However, as steroids can cause side effects, they are not generally used as a long-term treatment. Another group or medicines known as 5-aminosalicylate medicines can be used as an alternative to steroids for mild to moderate symptoms. These drugs can be given as oral tablets or as rectal suppositories. Other medications are prescribed as needed; antibiotics for additional infection, vitamin supplements and iron for nutritional deficiencies, diarrhea treatments if this is a major problem.
For a large majority of people with the illness, there may be times when medication alone is not enough. Sometimes a strict diet is required for a short time to rest the digestive system. Often people will require hospitalization and even surgery to remove a very affected part, or a blockage or abscess in some part of the gut.
At present there is no cure for Crohn’s disease and no known way to prevent it, but the symptoms can be treated and the periods of remission can be stretched to last several years. Most people are able to lead normal lives. The research and development of new medications for Crohn’s disease is continuing, and it seems likely that there will be a number of new treatments available in the near future.