Recently, while going through the newspaper, I came across a name for a disease that I had not heard before. It is called CROHN’S DISEASE, and that prompted me to learn more about it. What I found out about this disease, I want to share with you all.
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes swelling and irritation of the tissues in the digestive tract. This can lead to belly pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. Inflammation caused by this disease can affect different areas of the digestive tract in different people. Most commonly it affects the end of small intestine and beginning of large intestine. The inflammation often spreads into deeper layers of the bowel. This disease can be both painful and debilitating, and sometimes, it may lead to life-threatening complications.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease typically include
- Fever and fatigue
- Belly pain and cramping.
- Blood in stool.
- Mouth sores.
- Reduced appetite and weight loss.
- Pain or damage near or around the anus due to inflammation from a tunnel into skin, called fistula.
It can affect any part of the small or large intestine. It may involve multiple segments, or it may be continuous. The symptoms of Crohn’s disease can range from mild to severe. Other symptoms include-Inflammation of skin, eyes and joints; Inflammation of liver or bile ducts; Kidney stones; Iron deficiency called anemia; and Delayed growth or sexual development in children.
When to see a Doctor?
If you have ongoing changes in your bowel habits of if you have any symptoms of Crohn’s disease, as mentioned above.
Causes
The exact cause of Crohn’s disease remains unknown. Several factors likely play a role in the development of this disease.
- Genes– More than 200 genes have been associated with Crohn’s disease. However, researchers are not exactly sure what role they play in the condition. Having one or more of these genes may make someone more likely to get Crohn’s disease.
- Immune system– It’s possible that bacteria, viruses or other environmental factors may trigger this disease. For example, certain bacteria in the gut microbiome are suspected to be associated with Crohn’s disease, but it is unknown if these can cause this disease.
Risk factors
- Family history– People with a first-degree relative, such as parent, sibling or child, are at higher risk to have the disease. As many as 1 in 5 people with Crohn’s disease has a family member with the disease.
- Age– Crohn’s disease can happen at any age, but it’s more common to develop the condition when you are young. Most people who develop Crohn’s disease are diagnosed before they are 30 years old.
- Ethnicity– Although it can affect ant ethnic group, white people have the highest risk especially people of Eastern Europe. However incidence of this disease in increasing among black people of North America, and UK
- Smoking– Smoking is the most important controllable risk factor for Crohn’s disease
- Nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory medicines- These include ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and others.
This disease can lead many complications such as Bowel blockage or obstruction; Ulcers; Fistulas; Anal fissure; Malnutrition; Colon cancer; and skin disorders.
Diagnosis
A combination of tests may be used to help confirm a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, including
- Blood tests– can check for sign of infection or anemia. Tests also may be used to check levels of inflammation, liver function etc.
- Stool studies– Stool sample may be used to test for blood or organisms, such as infection-causing bacteria, or parasites in stool, to look for causes of diarrhea.
- Colonoscopy– It is performed to visually examine the entire colon and very end of the ileum. During the procedure, a tissue sample, called biopsy may be taken for lab analysis.
- CT scan– This test looks at the entire bowel as well as at tissues outside the bowel.
- MRI scan– This is particular useful for evaluating a fistula around the anal area or the small intestine.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease, and there is o single treatment that works for everyone. However there are several medicines that have been approved for treatment of Crohn’s disease. One goal of medical treatment is to reduce the inflammation that triggers symptoms. Another goal is to improve long-term prognosis by limiting complications. In the best cases, this may lead only to symptom relief but also the long-term remission.
The medicine include Corticosteroids; Oral5-aminosalicylates; Immune system suppressors. Antibiotics can reduce the amount of drainage from fistula and abscesses, and sometimes heal them in people with Crohn’s disease.
Then there is nutrition therapy, where a special diet given by mouth or a feeding tube. This can improve overall health and allow bowel to rest.
Surgery- If medicines, diet and lifestyle changes don’t relieve symptoms, then surgery is recommended. Nearly half of those with Crohn’s disease might require at least one surgery. However, surgery does not cure Crohn’s disease. During surgery the damaged portion of your digestive tract is removed and healthy section is reconnected.
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Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
14th May 2025