Summary
Highlights
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease causing chronic GI tract inflammation. It affects over half a million Americans and can lead to pain, complications, and stress. There's no cure, but treatment can help manage symptoms.
The exact cause is unknown but may involve abnormal immune responses and genetics. Risk factors include age (diagnosis before 30), ethnicity (whites, especially Ashkenazi Jews), and smoking. NSAIDs can worsen inflammation. Smoking is a controllable risk factor.
Symptoms vary but include diarrhea, fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, blood in stool, and mouth sores. Severe cases may involve inflammation of eyes, skin, joints, or liver. Can also result in kidney stones, anemia, and delayed growth in children. Complications include bowel obstruction and increased risk of blood clots and colon cancer.
Diagnosis involves medical history and various tests, potentially referral to a gastroenterologist. Tests include blood tests, stool studies, colonoscopy, CT scan, MRI, capsule endoscopy, and balloon-assisted enteroscopy.
Treatment aims to reduce inflammation and limit complications. Options include anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressants, antibiotics, biologics, anti-diarrheals, pain relievers, supplements, nutritional therapy, and surgery.
Manage flare-ups by identifying trigger foods, limiting dairy, eating smaller meals, staying hydrated, and avoiding caffeine/alcohol/carbonation. Consider multivitamins and consult a dietitian. Manage stress through exercise and relaxation. Seek therapy and support groups.
Crohn's disease is complex, but expert care and treatment strategies can help manage it. Advances in understanding and treating the disease are ongoing.