Crohn's Disease

 Crohn's DiseaseCrohn's Disease

Crohn's Disease


 

 

 

Terms You Should Know

  • Abscess : A pocket of infection where pus collects. Abscesses cause high fever and pain. 

  • Barium enema : A procedure in which a special dye called barium is pumped into the colon through a tube inserted into the rectum, and a series of X-rays is taken. 

  • Colonoscopy : Examination of the entire colon using an electronic imaging scope inserted gently into the anus and moved up through the colon. 

  • Fissure : A deep crevice in the skin around the anus, which makes bowel movement painful. 

  • Fistula : An inappropriate opening through the intestinal wall that connects diseased intestinal tissue to another loop of intestine, another internal organ such as the bladder, or the outside skin through the abdominal muscle wall, or near the anus. 

  • Flare-up : An increase in clinical disease symptoms. Increase of the disease. 

  • Gastroduodenal CD : Crohn's Disease that affects the stomach and duodenum, the top portion of the small intestine. 

  • Granulomatous Colitis ( Crohn's Colitis): Crohn's Disease that affects the colon only. 

  • Ileitis : Crohn's Disease of the ileum, the last portion of the small intestine. 

  • Ileocolitis : Crohn's Disease of the ileum and the first portion of the colon, which usually involves the ileocecal valve as well. 

  • Immunoregulators : A class of drugs that reduces the body's natural immune system response. Also called immunosupressives or immunomodulators. 

  • Inflammatory bowel disease : The classification of disease that includes Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. 

  • Jejunoileitis :Crohn's Disease of the jejunum, the largest part of the small intestine, between the duodenum and the ileum.

  • Obstruction : Blockage of lumen of intestine. Severe acute inflammation chronic inflammation, or a build-up of scar tissue can cause obstruction. 

  • Oesteoporosis : Loss of bone density. In Crohn's Disese, Osteoporosis has been linked to long-term use of steroid drugs or due to the disease itself. 

  • Remission : A period of time when disease symptoms are minimal. 

  • Sigmoidoscopy : The insertion of a 60-mm, flexible fibre-optic scope gently into the anus for the visualization of the rectum and sigmoid colon. 

  • Steroids : A classification of drugs used in treating Crohn's Disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

  • Stricure : Narrowing or stenosis.

Crohn's Disease is characterized by chronic inflammation in one or multiple areas of the gastrointestinal tract. It shares some symptoms with another inflammatory condition: ulcerative colitis. The two diseases are often grouped under the heading 'inflammatory bowel disease'. It is important to understand, however, that the two conditions are different. 


1.  Ulcerative colitis affects only the mucosal membrane, or inner lining, of the gastrointestinal wall an is limited to the colon. 
2.  Crohn's Disease affects the full thickness of the gastrointestinal wall and can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. 

A few individuals suffer as single about Crohn's Disease, then go into remission and never experience another flare-up. Others suffer frequent bouts of active disease. Flare-ups can occur following a viral illness such as a head cold, or during times of extreme personal, business, or social stress. 

Causes and Symptoms
Diagnosis and Complications
Treatment