Overview
Colon and rectumOpen pop-up dialog boxGastroenterology & GI Surgery Blog
Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.
Inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people. This inflammation often spreads into the deeper layers of the bowel.
Crohn's disease can be both painful and debilitating, and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications.
While there's no known cure for Crohn's disease, therapies can greatly reduce its signs and symptoms and even bring about long-term remission and healing of inflammation.
With treatment, many people with Crohm's disease are able to function well.
When it comes to Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IBD), most people are aware of ulcerative colitis. This is a disease in which damage occurs in the colon due to inflammation of the tissues.
However, chromes is a common disease that is often misdiagnosed as ulcerative colitis, as it shares many of the same symptoms.
Basically chromes and ulcerative colitis are very similar diseases. Both are forms of IBD in which the immune system reacts excessively and causes the tissues to become more swollen. Ulcerative colitis, however, is only found in the colon.
On the other hand, chromes can be anywhere in the digestive tract. However, it is usually found at the beginning of the large intestine and at the end of the small intestine.
With chromes, when the intestinal wall becomes inflamed and swollen, it is easily damaged by waste as it travels through the system. This damage sometimes causes scarring, which gradually narrows the passages beyond the initial inflammation.
The main problem with chromes is this domino reaction - inflammation occurs, damage is done, horrible tissue is formed, a lot of damage is done, a lot of terrible tissue is formed, and so on.
The end result is usually blocked by corridors where no trash can pass. When a ban occurs, the threat of fragmentation is a major problem for chromes sufferers.
For this reason, if the blockage is not resolved immediately, surgery is often used to remove the damaged area and the blockage.
On the other hand, there is still a threat even before any scars develop. In the event of damage to the intestinal wall, ulcers and / or fistulas may form. An ulcer is a type of wound in a muscle that can be easily infected.
A fistula, on the other hand, is a malignant tumor that penetrates the surrounding tissue, such as a woman's genitals or bladder.
If an infection occurs, it can be fatal if not treated properly. Meanwhile, feces may pass through a fistula that only covers the problem.
Patients with chromes are not always sick. They often have episodes of inflammation followed by periods of calm when their system is working properly, or at least with a damaged system.
However, this roller coaster often makes it difficult for a person with chromes to work and cope with daily life, as distraction is always a possibility.
Symptoms
Digestive systemOpen pop-up dialog boxIn Crohn's disease, any part of your small or large intestine can be involved, and it may be continuous or may involve multiple segments. In some people, the disease is confined to the colon, which is part of the large intestine.
Signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease can range from mild to severe. They usually develop gradually, but sometimes will come on suddenly, without warning. You may also have periods of time when you have no signs or symptoms (remission).
When the disease is active, signs and symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Blood in your stool
- Mouth sores
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Pain or drainage near or around the anus due to inflammation from a tunnel into the skin (fistula)
Other signs and symptoms
People with severe Crohn's disease may also experience:
- Inflammation of skin, eyes and joints
- Inflammation of the liver or bile ducts
- Kidney stones
- Iron deficiency (anemia)
- Delayed growth.
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