Understanding Crohn's Disease

What is Crohn's Disease?

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in your digestive tract. It can affect any part of your gastrointestinal system, from mouth to anus, though it most commonly involves the small intestine and beginning of the colon.

Key Symptoms

• Persistent diarrhea
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Reduced appetite
• Blood in stool
• Fever

Causes and Risk Factors

Known Risk Factors:

• Age: Most commonly diagnosed before age 30
• Family history: Higher risk if close relatives have IBD
• Smoking: Significantly increases risk and severity
• Environmental factors: More common in developed countries

Diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves multiple tests:

1. Blood tests
2. Stool tests
3. Colonoscopy
4. CT scan or MRI
5. Upper endoscopy

Treatment Options

Medications

• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Immune system suppressors
• Biologics
• Antibiotics

Lifestyle Changes

• Dietary modifications
• Stress management
• Regular exercise
• Smoking cessation

Complications

• Bowel obstruction
• Ulcers
• Fistulas
• Malnutrition
• Increased colon cancer risk

Living with Crohn's Disease

• Monitor symptoms regularly
• Maintain regular medical appointments
• Join support groups
• Keep a food diary
• Stay hydrated

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Severe abdominal pain
• High fever
• Excessive diarrhea
• Unexpected weight loss
• Blood in stool