December’s Topic: Crohn’s Disease
Resource: Crohnscolitisfoundation.org
Author Note:
I am in no a professional of any kind. I am strongly against self-diagnosis, and I encourage my audience to please seek the professional advice of their own medical professional and or any other trusted professional depending on the topic at hand.
The Abler Blog ONLY PROVIDES LIMITED GENERAL INFORMATION, AND ALWAYS CITES WHERE THEY FIND THEIR RESOURCES AND OR INFORMATION.
What Is Crohn’s Disease?
Is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. The following link provides a graphic of what The gastrointestinal tract.
https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2019-05/gi-trac.pdf
Crohn’s Disease is categorized under the a group of conditions known as: Inflammatory bowel diseases also known as IBD. The condition is named after Dr. Burrill B. Crohn, who first described the disease in 1932, with fellow colleagues, Dr. Leon Ginzburg and Dr. Gordon D. Oppenheimer.
It can effect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the annus. But it commonly effects the end of the small bowel known as the “Ileum” and the beginning of the colon. It can also effect the entire thickness of the bowel wall. Inflammation of the intestine can leave normal areas of intestine between diseased areas.
Who Is Affected By Crohn’s Disease?
It is estimated that three million people, and that both men can be effected by this condition. You can be diagnosed at any age with this disease however, the age to be diagnosed with Crohn’s disease is in the age group of adolescence, and adults in their 20’s to 30’s. There have been studies that have shown that 1.5.%-to 28% of people with IBD have a relative like a sibling or parent that has one of these diseases.
It is also important to note that even know this disease is linked by genetics, it is not possible to predict who will get the disease despite the increase risk based on family history. It is also important to know that this condition can effect any one of any ethnic background it is most common among caucasians, and in recent years have increased among hispanics and Asians.
Crohn’s Disease And The Immune System
Basically, with someone with a normal immune system, bacteria, fungi, and viruses become the intended target in the body, and the normal bacteria knows to just stay put in the body, but with an immune system that is affected by Crohn’s the good bacteria is seen as an invader to the body and the disease then begins to attack it. When this happens, the inflammation becomes chronic, ulceration, thickening of the intestine wall, which then gives you symptoms of Crohn’s Disease. For further information, including how genetics may play apart in this condition please follow this link: ical://occurrence/CEBC9618-50A3-4106-BD42-ED421DAA22C9?method=show&options=more
The Type Of Crohn’s Disease
While symptoms can and do vary from person to person, it is important for the person to know what part of his or her GI Tract is affected for the simple fact that it could possibly impact the person’s symptoms and complications they may experience. Because Crohn’s is recognized as chronic, people with it can experience flare-ups and times of remission.
Ileocolitis-
This is the most common type of the disease. It affects the end of the small intestine, known as the terminal ileum, and the large intestine, also called the colon.
Symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea and cramping
- Pain in the middle or lower right part of the abdomen
- Significant weight loss
Ileitis
This type of Crohn’s effects only the ileum.
Symptoms may include:
- Same as ileocolitis
- In severe cases, complications may include fistulas or inflammatory abscess in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen
Gastroduodenal Crohn's Disease
This type affects the stomach and the beginning of the small intestine, called the duodenum.
Symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Jejunoileitis
This type is characterized by patchy areas of inflammation in the upper half of the small intestine, called the jejunum.
Symptoms may include:
- Mild to intense abdominal pain and cramps following meals
- Diarrhea
- Fistulas may form in severe cases or after prolonged periods of inflammation
Crohn's (Granulomatous) Colitis
This type affects only the colon, also known as the large intestine.
Symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea
- Rectal bleeding
- Disease around the anus, including abscess, fistulas and ulcers
- Skin lesions and joint pains are more common in this form of Crohn's than in others
Crohn’s Disease vs. Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis share similar symptoms and they are both types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but they are not the same illness and they affect different areas of the GI tract Crohn's disease ->
- Can affect any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus
- Can affect the entire thickness of the bowel wall
- Only the colon and rectum (also known as the large intestine) are affected
- Affects the inner-most lining of the large intestine
You can also find a graphic showing the difference between Crohn’s v.s.
Ulcerative colitis, and other resources here: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/what-is-crohns-disease/overview
For the proper diagnosis and treatment please consult with your doctor, and work together on a tailored plan of treatment for yourself or a loved one.
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