Crohn’s disease – Signs, causes, diagnosis, and treatment

Crohn’s disease is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. It can affect any part of the tract between the mouth and anus, but the inflammation occurs in the lower part of the small intestine in most cases. It is closely related to ulcerative colitis, another IBD that affects the colon or large intestine, and both diseases are chronic and often debilitating. Read on to learn more about Crohn’s disease.

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease vary depending on which part of the gastrointestinal or digestive tract is affected and the severity of the condition. People with the disease often experience periods of severe symptoms, followed by mild or no symptoms. It’s difficult to predict flare-ups, as remission can last for weeks, months, or even years. During Crohn’s disease flare-ups, patients commonly experience the following symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Bloody stools
• Mouth sores
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Rectal bleeding and anal fissures

If the condition worsens, one may also experience these symptoms:

• Skin, eye, and joint inflammation
• Liver inflammation
• Delayed growth in children

Causes and risk factors

Researchers are still trying to understand the exact causes of Crohn’s disease, but abnormal immune reactions and genetic and environmental factors play a crucial role in its development. Ideally, the immune system is meant to protect the body against invaders like bacteria, viruses, and toxins, but it mistakenly attacks good bacteria and other beneficial substances in some cases.
That said, it is not yet known whether this autoimmune reaction triggers Crohn’s disease or is a result of the condition. Studies also suggest that people with a parent, sibling, or child with Crohn’s disease are more likely to develop it. Other risk factors for the condition include:

• Smoking: This is one of the biggest risk factors for the development of Crohn’s disease. Smoking also worsens the existing symptoms and triggers relapses.
• Certain medications: Regular use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like Aspirin or Ibuprofen, antibiotics, and birth control pills can elevate the risk of this IBD.

Diagnosis
Detecting Crohn’s disease is tricky, as no single test can confirm its diagnosis. Doctors usually begin by ruling out other possible causes of the symptoms and use the following tests to confirm a diagnosis:

• Blood tests: Testing the blood can help detect possible signs like anemia and inflammation.
• Stool test: This diagnostic method helps determine the presence of blood in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Colonoscopy: A flexible tube with an attached camera is used to examine the colon.
• CT and MRI scan: These scans give more detailed results than a regular X-ray and allow doctors to examine specific organs and tissues.

Doctors may also prescribe a few more tests before confirming the diagnosis. If a person is diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, some of these tests may be conducted regularly to understand how it is progressing.

Treatment options

There is no cure for Crohn’s disease as of now, and treatment only aims to control inflammation, alleviate the symptoms, and prevent flare-ups. The disease can be managed with various treatment options:

• Medications
  The medications prescribed depend mainly on the symptoms one is experiencing, their severity, and a patient’s medical history and how they’re responding to the treatment. Among the several types of medications that can help manage Crohn’s disease, the most commonly prescribed ones are antidiarrheal and anti-inflammatory medications. Some others are antibiotics and corticosteroids.
• Dietary changes
  Making changes to one’s diet is essential to alleviate the symptoms during a flare-up, and these changes can also help prevent flare-ups in the future. Doctors may suggest booking an appointment with a registered dietician who can help patients make beneficial food choices and avoid any trigger foods.
• Surgery
  Surgery is recommended when medications and dietary changes do not provide the desired results. Surgery for treating Crohn’s disease may involve repairing damaged tissues or treating deep infections, and although it does not cure the disease, it helps manage the symptoms better.