Crohn’s Disease

As many as 500,000 Americans have Crohn’s disease, a chronic disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s disease most commonly affects your small intestine and colon. However, it can involve any part of your gastrointestinal tract, which runs from your mouth to the anus. If it goes untreated, Crohn’s disease can lead to other health complications.

Both men and women are affected equally, and although most people are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35, Crohn’s disease can develop at any age. In fact, approximately 90 percent of people with Crohn’s disease will show symptoms before age 40.

There is no known cause of this disease, but there are several risk factors that may play a role, including heredity (family history), the immune system and environmental factors.

Crohn's Disease Symptoms
Crohn's Disease Treatment

Crohn’s Disease Symptoms

The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are abdominal pain and diarrhea. However, there are many other symptoms of Crohn’s disease, including the following.

• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Unintentional weight loss
• Abdominal mass
• Abdominal sounds
• Fatigue
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Foul-smelling stools
• Tenesmus (pain with passing stool)
• Bloody stools
• Joint pain
• Anal Incontinence
• Swollen gums
• Constipation
• Abdominal fullness and gas

Some symptoms may end up bringing the development of other conditions. For example, persistent bleeding may lead to anemia.

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Crohn’s Disease Treatment

There currently is no cure, but there are many Crohn’s disease treatment options such as drugs (anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, antibiotics or immune system suppressors), surgery, nutritional supplements or any combination of these. As much as 75 percent of people with Crohn’s disease will require surgery at some point. Some people may require long-term medical care, which will include regular doctor visits. Treatments are intended to control the disease by lowering the number of times a person experiences a recurrence.

Some people will have long periods of remission where they will be free of symptoms, although the disease usually will reoccur over a person’s lifetime. Proper treatment and management can help you reduce your symptoms and increase your chances of long-term remission.

Dietary recommendations depend on the individual and should be discussed with your doctor. However, there are some things that you can do that may help reduce your symptoms, including the following.

• Avoid fatty foods.
• Avoid gas-causing foods.
• Limit dairy products.
• Eat smaller meals five to six times a day.
• Drink lots of fluid.
• Eat more protein.

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If you experience any of the above symptoms, call your doctor immediately. Call 1.877.UT.CARES (1.877.882.2737) to request an appointment today!