Crohn's Disease
Crohn's Disease
What is Crohn’s Disease? Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. It primarily causes ulceration’s in the small and large intestines, but can effect the digestive system anywhere between the mouth and the anus. It is named after the physician who examined the disease in a landmark paper written in 1932. It is also called Morbus Crohn’s, Granulomatous enteritis, Regional enteritis, or Terminal ileitis. The disease is found in equal frequency in men and women, and usually effects young patients in their teen s of early twenties. Once the disease begins, it tends to be a chronic, recurrent condition with periods of remission and disease exacerbation. The disease tends to be more common in relatives of patients with Crohn’s disease.
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease? The terminal ileum is commonly involved in Crohn’s disease. Since the terminal ileum is located adjacent the appendix, right-sided abdominal pain and tenderness mimicking appendicitis is common. The pain of Crohn’s disease can also be crampy in nature, and may reflect bowel obstruction.
Diarrhea is also common. Diarrhea may be a result of a partial bowel obstruction, excessive growth of bacteria in the small bowel, poor absorption of nutrients and bile acids and inflammation of the large intestine. The diarrhea may be bloody and associated with abdominal pain and cramps. Rectal bleeding and bloody diarrhea are common. While massive bleeding (hemorrhage) from Crohn’s ulcer is rare, it can occur.
Diseases affecting the anus are common. Up to one third of patients with Crohn’s disease may have diseases involving the anal area. Anal diseases include tears of the anal tissue (fissures), infections (abscesses) adjacent to the anus and draining abnormal passages or tubes (fistulae) between the inside of the anus and the surrounding skin.
What causes Crohn’s Disease? The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. Some scientists suspect that infection by certain bacteria, such as strains of mycobacterium, may be the cause of Crohn’s disease. To date, there has been no convincing evidence that the disease is caused by infection. Crohn’s disease is not contagious. Although diet may affect the symptoms in patients with Crohn’s disease, it appears unlikely that diet is responsible for the onset of the disease.
Currently, Crohn’s disease is believed to be related to abnormalities...