Explore Over 11,000+ Conditions, Medications, and Symptoms.
Get a personalized feed by signing up for free.
All Conditions
Crohn's Disease (IBD) Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Crohn's Disease (IBD) Inflammatory Bowel Disease
by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023
Additional names
This group contains additional names: - Regional Enteritis of Small Intestine - Crohns disease of small intestine - Terminal ileitis - Regional Enteritis of Large Intestine - Crohns disease of colon - Regional Enteritis of Small and Large Intestines - Crohns disease of small intestine and colon
General
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, including the mouth, small intestine, large intestine (the colon), and the rectum. The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, but genetic and environmental factors are involved. The understood mechanism includes the overactivation of the immune system. The immune system "attacks" the gastrointestinal tract, causing persistent inflammation and damage. Crohn’s disease increases the risk of small intestinal cancer and colon cancer; hence, early cancer testing is particularly important in these patients. Additional complications of Crohn’s disease include intestinal obstruction, bleeding, infections, and scarring.
1186 people with Crohn's Disease (IBD) Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Learn from others who are experiencing Crohn's Disease (IBD) Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease may include: - Persistent diarrhea. - Abdominal Pain. - Bloody stool or rectal bleeding. - Rectal pain. - Weight loss. - Chronic Fatigue. - Fever. - Mouth sores (ulcers). - Joints swelling and joints pain.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made by questioning and investigating the medical history and physical examination to provide additional information and exclude other diseases. Further tests include: - Stool sampling test. - Endoscopy – a procedure that allows looking at the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine and taking a biopsy, using a special camera inserted through the mouth. - Colonoscopy – a procedure that allows looking at the rectum, large intestine (colon), and small intestine and taking a biopsy, using a special camera inserted through the rectum. - CT or MRI scans. - Blood testing.
Treatment
Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition. Treatment’s primary goal is to reduce the inflammation and thus ease the symptoms. Treatment includes medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, antibiotics, and pain relievers. Most of the patients with Crohn’s disease will require surgery, in which the damaged parts of the intestine will be removed. Surgery improves symptoms significantly in many patients, but it doesn’t cure the disease. Some dietary changes can ease symptoms in patients with Crohn’s disease, and a meeting with a dietitian may be appropriate.
Note
☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike
'%3e%3cpath%20d='M18.1275%2019.4574H9.64406L7.23721%2025.7665H0.535156L9.55128%203.73926H18.2836L27.2834%2025.7676H20.5333L18.1275%2019.4574ZM13.7264%208.01919C13.2352%209.40217%2012.5803%2011.177%2012.052%2012.5971L11.3163%2014.5793H16.4575L15.7185%2012.5655C15.2087%2011.1639%2014.5516%209.3978%2014.0539%208.01919H13.7264Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M29.5195%203.10938H35.5612V25.7665H29.5195V3.10938Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M39.5898%2010.0332H45.6479V25.7678H39.5898V10.0332Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M49.6562%203.10938H55.6979V16.8923L55.7765%2016.9075L60.4025%2010.0319H67.5139L61.6141%2017.8364L67.861%2025.7665H60.576L55.7765%2018.8439L55.6979%2018.8592V25.7665H49.6562V3.10938Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M79.9824%2019.2785C79.6986%2020.2576%2078.7609%2020.9627%2077.5133%2021.157C75.8072%2021.4234%2074.4865%2020.5992%2073.9669%2018.7011L85.5121%2016.8978C84.9784%2011.6464%2081.0925%208.98853%2075.8531%209.80719C70.474%2010.6477%2067.4799%2014.5226%2068.221%2019.2643C68.9589%2023.9907%2072.9834%2026.8178%2078.3942%2025.9729C82.9743%2025.2579%2086.1594%2022.2791%2086.1136%2018.3147L79.9824%2019.2785ZM76.5866%2013.7062C77.9074%2013.5686%2078.8985%2014.1341%2079.3995%2015.2485L73.9822%2015.8107C74.3566%2014.61%2075.2604%2013.8437%2076.5866%2013.7062Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M42.6056%207.87737C40.3156%207.87737%2038.5898%206.37214%2038.5898%204.37571C38.5898%202.38147%2040.3167%200.878418%2042.6056%200.878418C44.8946%200.878418%2046.6214%202.38147%2046.6214%204.37571C46.6225%206.37214%2044.8957%207.87737%2042.6056%207.87737Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0'%3e%3crect%20width='85.5768'%20height='25.243'%20fill='white'%20transform='translate(0.535156%200.878418)'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Alike is a transformative platform that goes beyond just bringing together patients; it meticulously connects individuals based on multiple critical factors, such as age, gender, comorbidities, medications, diet, and more, fostering a community of knowledge, support and empathy.
© 2020-2024 Alike, Inc