Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | For More Information
The actual cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown but it does run in some families. Once diagnosed, it’s difficult to predict exactly how the disease will affect the patient, although diarrhea and abdominal pain are signs of the disease. Some people go years without Crohn's disease symptoms, while others are burdened with frequent flare-ups.
Proper nutrition is important in managing Crohn’s disease since the symptoms can bring on loss of appetite, fluids, nutrients and electrolytes. You may find that bland, soft foods and smaller, more frequent meals help during a flare-up of the disease.
A well-balanced diet is recommended to combat nutritional losses. This diet includes a variety of foods from all food groups and a multivitamin.
If you smoke, it is recommended that you quit. Smoking is considered a major risk factor for Crohn’s disease, it increases the severity and need for surgery.
There is no evidence that stress causes Crohn’s disease, but it can often lead to symptoms that mimic the condition. However, people may find themselves stressed as a reaction to the Crohn's disease symptoms. Knowledge of your options and emotional support of family, friends and physician are important in mentally managing Crohn’s.
Crohn’s Disease Symptoms
Crohn’s disease causes diarrhea (sometimes bloody) and abdominal pain. Other Crohn's disease symptoms include:
- Loose, watery or frequent bowel movements
- Fever
- Rectal bleeding
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of weight
- Fatigue
- Children with Crohn’s may suffer delays in growth and sexual development
Crohn’s disease or the medications used to treat the disease can also affect other areas of the body:
- Eyes – redness and itching
- Mouth – sores
- Joints – swelling and pain
- Skin – bumps and other lesions
- Bones – osteoporosis
- Kidney – stones
- Liver – hepatitis
These symptoms may be the first signs of Crohn’s disease and may appear before the bowel symptoms or right before a flare-up of the disease.
If your disease is getting worse you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Feeling faint
- Weak pulse
- Severe belly pain
- Fever or shaking chills
- Vomiting
Contact your physician immediately if these Crohn's disease symptoms appear.
Crohn’s Disease Diagnosis
Most often people are diagnosed with Crohn’s before the age of 30, with up to 25% of Crohn’s disease cases seen in the pediatric population. However, it can occur in patients of all ages. Males and females are equally affected by the disease but it does appear more in Caucasians than individuals of other races. Jews, mostly Eastern European, tend to have a higher rate of the disease, but Asians, African-Americans and Hispanics are increasingly being affected.
Crohn’s disease diagnosis begins with a physical examination that may include stool and blood tests. Your gastroenterologist uses this information to rule out other causes of Crohn's disease symptoms, such as infection.
To better visualize the small intestine or colon, your gastroenterologist will likely examine the colon through a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. These tests allow the physician to visualize the colon and obtain tissue samples in order to determine a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. These diagnostic tools also help to determine the extent of the disease and detect bleeding, inflammation or ulcers.
Once diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, your gastroenterologist can determine the best form of treatment to control the disease.
Crohn’s Disease Treatment
Since Crohn’s is chronic, the goal with treatment is to quiet the abnormal inflammation in the lining of the intestines and allow the bowel to heal. This approach helps to relieve diarrhea, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain. Treatment plans are highly personalized as the disease is unique for each person. Crohn's disease treatment options include medications and/or surgery. These options are used to enable the patient to lead a normal and healthy quality of life.
Medications
Medications used for Crohn’s disease treatment fall into five categories:
- Aminosalicylates: These drugs work to decrease inflammation in the GI tract. They are commonly prescribed to treat mild-to-moderate Crohn’s disease.
- Corticosteroids: These medications affect the body’s ability to launch and maintain an inflammatory process. They also work to suppress the immune system and are used in patients with moderate-to- severe Crohn’s disease. While they are effective for controlling flare-ups, they are not recommended for long-term use because of side effects.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers: Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), meloxicam (Mobic) can worsen inflammation in Crohn's disease. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is safe to take for pain.
- Antibiotics: These may be used when infections, such as abscesses, occur.
- Immunomodulators: These medications override the body’s immune system so it cannot cause ongoing inflammation. Often, these are used when aminosalicylates have not been effective but they may take up to three months to begin to work.
- Biologic therapies: These therapies are changing the way gastroenterologists treat IBD. These are the newest class of drugs for people suffering moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease. They are made from antibodies that bind with certain molecules to block a particular action thought responsible for the inflammation in IBD. Biologic drugs target specific pathways to help reduce inflammation and the chance of surgery.
While you should certainly have a discussion of the risks and benefits of these medications with your physician, please keep in mind that untreated Crohn’s disease has the highest risks of causing you long term illness and worsened quality of life.
Surgery
Surgery is a Crohn's disease treatment option for patients who do not respond to medication. It is important that patients speak with an experienced IBD physician to best determine what specific surgical procedure is necessary for their condition. Further, an IBD specialist refers patients to specialty-trained surgeons conveniently located within NorthShore's IBD Center.
Patients with Crohn’s disease may undergo surgery to repair an opening between organs (fistula) or anal tear (fissure). Intestinal obstructions or abscesses can require surgery as well. During the surgical procedure, the diseased segment of bowel is removed. This is called a resection. These procedures can bring on many symptom-free years and often represent the best option for patients who have severe Crohn’s disease.
For More Information
For more information on Crohn's disease diagnosis, symptoms and treatment or to schedule an appointment with an IBD physician, please call 847.570.2903.