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Crohn's disease
Treatment plan for Crohn's disease
How may Crohn's disease affect me?
Crohn's disease is a chronic
(long-term) disease that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. The
symptoms come and go in attacks, or flares.
Crohn's disease belongs to a
group of illnesses called inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. Ulcerative
colitis is another type of IBD which affects the colon (large intestine)
and rectum.
Inflammation (swelling, redness
and sores) from Crohn's disease can happen anywhere along the digestive
tract, from mouth to anus, although it usually affects the walls of the
large intestine (colon) or the small intestine, or both. The most common
symptoms are pain and tenderness in the abdomen, especially the lower
right side, and diarrhoea. Some people may have constipation. Other
symptoms may include weight loss, bloody diarrhoea, slight fever,
anaemia (low levels of red blood cells in the blood which can make you
feel tired, faint or breathless), exhaustion and (in children) slowed
growth and delayed puberty.
There are also several possible complications from Crohn's
disease. Scarring and thickening of the intestine walls can create a
narrowing of the intestine wall, which is called a stricture, leading to
constipation, bloating and pain. The intestine walls may become fully
blocked (called an obstruction), which can cause severe pain and
vomiting that must be treated in the hospital. Another possible problem
is a fistula, or tunnel caused by infection that goes from one part of
the intestine to another or to the skin. Nutritional problems can occur
if the body is unable to absorb proteins, vitamins or minerals. Crohn's
disease may also prevent the body from absorbing calcium and vitamin D,
which can lead to osteoporosis (bone density loss). If you have any of
these problems, you may need specific treatment.
Crohn's disease can also be related problems in other parts
of the body, such as joint pain or arthritis, inflammation in the eyes
and mouth, gallstones, liver diseases, skin rashes, anaemia (low red
blood cell count) or kidney stones. These problems may improve with
treatment for Crohn's disease, but sometimes need treatment on their
own.
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