Awareness of Crohn's Disease

Definition:

Chronic inflammatory disease that can affect any part of the 
digestive system but most commonly affects the ileum.

Other Info:

Crohn's is an inherited disease that normally runs in families. 
It occurs at any age but its first known onset is normally in 
adolesense or early childhood. Crohn's occurs in 7 out of 
10,000 people.

There is no way to prevent Crohn's Disease and its cause is unknown

Symptoms:

abdominal pain
fever
diarrhea
loss of appetite
weight loss
abdominal mass
abdominal sounds (gurgling or splashing sound)
clubbing of the fingers or toes
gastrointestinal bleeding
foul-smelling stools
painful stools (tenesmus)

Symptons: (Sometimes Associated)

bloody stools
joint pain
incontinence
swollen gums
constipation
gaseous abdominal fullness

Signs involved with Crohn's

A stool culture can rule out other possible diseases.

An abdominal exam may reveal a mass or tenderness.
Positive stool guaiac

Tests involved with Crohn's

endoscopy along with small bowel biopsy
colonoscopy along with small bowel biopsy
sigmoidoscopy along with small bowel biopsy
enteroclysis (small bowel follow through)
barium enema
upper GI Series

Tests whose results can be altered by Crohn's

quantitative immunoglobulins (nephelometry)
immunoelectrophoresis - serum
fecal fat
D-xylose absorption
albumin

Treatment: Medicine

Medications are used to control the inflammation and antibiotics 
are used to treat any abscesses or fistulas.

Treatment: Diet

Because of Crohn's involving problems with getting nutrition an 
adequate intake of calories, vitamins and protein is important. 
Those with diarrhea should avoid foods that they realized have 
caused it. Those with blockages should avoid raw fruits and 
vegetables. And those that are lactose intolerant from the 
Crohn's need to avoid milk products.

Treatment: Surgery

Surgery can be used as a temporary measure to stop the pain of 
Crohn's but Crohn's will almost always come back to a different 
place so surgery is used as a last measure in most cases.

Prognosis:

Since this is a chronic disease it has periods of 
improvements followed by periods of or detriments. 
There is also an increased risk of small bowel or 
colorectal carcinoma in people with Crohn's.

Complications:

fistulas occurring to the bladder, vagina or skin
bowel obstructions
nutritional deficiencies