Crohn's Disease

What is Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease occurs when there is redness and swelling (inflammation) and sores along your digestive tract. It is part of a group of diseases known as inflammatory bowel disease or IBD.

Crohn’s disease is a long-term, chronic illness that may come and go at different times in your life. In most cases, it affects the small intestine, most often the lower part called the ileum. In some cases it affects both the small and large intestines.

Sometimes the inflammation may be along your whole digestive tract. This includes your mouth, your food pipe (esophagus), your stomach, the first part of your small intestine or duodenum, your appendix, and your anus.

What causes Crohn's disease?

Experts don’t know what causes Crohn's disease. It may be that a virus or a bacteria affects the body's infection-fighting system (immune system). The immune system may create an abnormal inflammation reaction in the intestinal wall that does not stop.

Many people with Crohn’s disease have abnormal immune systems. But experts don’t know if immune problems cause the disease. They also don’t know if Crohn’s disease may cause immune problems. Stress does not seem to cause Crohn's disease.

Who is at risk for Crohn’s disease?

Crohn's disease may happen at any age. It most often affects people ages 15 to 35 years old. It can also happen in children or older people. It affects men and women equally.

You may be more at risk for Crohn’s disease if you:

• Have a family history of Crohn’s disease. In most cases this is a close relative such as your father, mother, brother, sister, or child.
• Have an Eastern European background, especially Jews of European descent
• Are white
• Live in a developed country, in a city, or in a northern climate
• Smoke

What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease?

Each person’s symptoms may vary. Symptoms may include:

• Belly or abdominal pain, often in the lower right area
• Diarrhea, sometimes bloody
• Rectal bleeding
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Joint pain
• A cut or tear in the anus (anal fissure)
• Rashes

You may have no symptoms for a long time, even years. That is called being in remission. There is no way to know when remission may occur or when your symptoms will return.

The symptoms of Crohn's disease may look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider to be sure.

How is Crohn's disease diagnosed?

You may be checked for signs of Crohn's disease if you have had long-term or chronic:

• Belly or abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Anemia, a loss of healthy red blood cells that can make you feel tired

Your healthcare provider will look at your past health and give you a physical exam.

 Other tests for Crohn's disease may include the following:

• Blood tests. These are done to see if you have fewer healthy red blood cells (anemia) because of a loss of blood. These tests also check if you have a higher number of white blood cells. That might mean you have an inflammatory problem.
• Stool culture. This is done to see if you have any abnormal bacteria in your digestive tract that may cause diarrhea or other problems. A small sample of your stool is collected and sent to a lab. In 2 or 3 days the test will show if you have abnormal bacteria or if you have lost blood. It will also show if an infection by a parasite or bacteria is causing your symptoms.
• Upper endoscopy or EGD. This test looks at the inside of your food pipe or esophagus, stomach, and the top part of your small intestine, called the duodenum. This test uses a thin, lighted tube, called an endoscope. The tube has a camera at one end. The tube is put into your mouth and throat. Then it goes into your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Your healthcare provider can see the inside of these organs. He or she can also take a small tissue sample or biopsy if needed.
• Colonoscopy. This test looks at the full length of your large intestine. It can help check for any abnormal growths, tissue that is red or swollen, sores, or bleeding. A long, flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope is used. It is put into your rectum up into the colon. This tube lets your provider see the lining of your colon and take out a tissue sample or biopsy to test it. He or she may also be able to treat some problems that may be found.
• Biopsy. Your healthcare provider will take a tissue or cells from the lining of your colon to look at it under a microscope.
• Upper GI series or barium swallow. This test looks at the organs of the top part of your digestive system. It checks your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine, called the duodenum. You will swallow a chalky fluid called barium. Barium coats the organs so that they can be seen on an X-ray. Then X-rays are taken to check your digestive organs. 
• Lower GI series or barium enema. This test checks your large intestine, including the colon and rectum. A thick, chalky fluid called barium is put into a tube. It is inserted into your rectum as an enema. Barium coats the organs, so they can be seen on an X-ray. An X-ray of your belly will show any narrowed areas called strictures. It will also show any blockages or other problems.
• CT scan (CAT scan). This test uses X-ray images to create a view of the intestine. It may be done with an IV and oral contrast.
• MRI. This test uses a magnetic field and radiofrequency energy to create a view of the abdomen, pelvis, and intestine. It may be done with IV contrast, and in some cases, rectal contrast.

How is Crohn’s disease treated?

Your healthcare provider will create a care plan for you based on:

• Your age, overall health, and past health
• How serious your case is
• How well you handle certain medicines, treatments, or therapies
• You have family planning goals (such as getting pregnant)
• If your condition is expected to get worse
• What you would like to do

There is no cure for Crohn's disease. But there are some things that can help to control it. Treatment has 3 goals:

• Ease symptoms such as belly or abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding
• Control redness or swelling (inflammation)
• Help with getting the right nutrition

Treatment may include:                    

• Medicine. Some medicines may help ease abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Medicines  often reduce inflammation in the colon. If you have a more serious case, you may need medicines that affect your body's infection-fighting system (immune system). These are given as pills, injections (called biologics), or combinations of both. It is very important to discuss the pros and cons of medicine with your doctor, and not to stop the medicines without their knowledge. Sometimes stopping a medicine will limit its ability to help you again in the future.
• Diet. No special diet has been shown to help prevent or treat Crohn's disease. However, a special diet called an elemental diet can treat Crohn's disease in some situations. In some cases, symptoms are made worse by milk, alcohol, hot spices, or fiber.
• Supplements. Your healthcare provider may suggest nutritional supplements or special high-calorie liquid formulas. These may be helpful for children who are not growing fast enough.
• IV or intravenous feeding. In rare cases IV feeding may be used for people who need extra nutrition for a short period of time.
• Surgery. Surgery may help Crohn’s disease, but it can’t cure it. The swelling or inflammation often returns next to the area where the intestine was removed.

In addition, if your colon is involved in the Crohn's disease, you will need colonoscopy at various intervals because of your increased risk of colon cancer.

Surgery options

Surgery may help to reduce long-term or chronic symptoms that don’t get better with therapy. Surgery may also fix some problems such as a blocked intestine, a hole or perforation, an abscess, or bleeding.

Types of surgery may include:

Draining abscesses in or near fistulas. An abscess is a collection of pus or infection. Treatment includes antibiotics and injectables such as biologics, but sometimes surgery is needed.

Bowel or intestinal resection. The diseased section of intestine is removed. The 2 healthy pieces of intestine are attached. This surgery shortens your intestines. 

Ostomy. When part of the intestine is removed, then a new way to remove stool from your body is created. The surgery to create the new opening is called an ostomy. The new opening is called a stoma. There are different types of ostomy surgery. The type of surgery that is done will depend on how much and what part of your intestines is removed. Ostomy surgery may include:

• Ileostomy. The colon and rectum are removed and the bottom part of your small intestine (ileum) is attached to the new opening or stoma.
• Colostomy. This surgery creates an opening in your belly or abdomen. A small part of the colon goes through this opening up to the surface of the skin. In some cases a short-term colostomy may be done. This is used when part of the colon has been removed and the rest of the colon needs to heal.
• Ileoanal reservoir surgery. This may be done instead of a permanent ileostomy. It is done in 2 surgeries. First the colon and rectum are removed and a short-term ileostomy is performed. Then the ileostomy is closed. Part of the small intestine is used to create an internal pouch to hold stool. This pouch is attached to the anus. The muscle of the rectum is left in place, so the stool in the pouch does not leak out of the anus. People who have this surgery are able to control their bowel movements.

What are the complications of Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease may cause other health problems. These may include:

• A blocked intestine
• A type of tunnel, called a fistula, in nearby tissues. This can get infected.
• Rips or tears, called fissures, in your anus
• Colon cancer, if your colon is involved with the Crohn's disease
• Problems with your liver function
• Gallstones
• A lack of some nutrients, such as calories, proteins, and vitamins
• Too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin in your blood (anemia)
• Bone weakness, either because bones are brittle (osteoporosis) or because bones are soft (osteomalacia)
• A nervous system disorder where legs feel painful, called restless leg syndrome
• Arthritis
• Skin problems
• Eye or mouth redness or swelling (inflammation)

Crohn's disease can also lead to a condition called malabsorption. The intestines help to digest and absorb foods. Malabsorption occurs when food is not digested well and nutrients are not absorbed into the body. This can lead to poor growth and development. Malabsorption may occur when the digestive tract is inflamed or if short bowel syndrome occurs after surgery.

Common symptoms of malabsorption include the following:

• Loose stool, or diarrhea
• Large amounts of fat in the stool, called steatorrhea
• Weight loss or poor growth
• Fluid loss or dehydration
• Lack of vitamins and minerals

What can I do to prevent Crohn’s disease?

Experts don’t know what causes Crohn’s disease or how it can be prevented.

Living with Crohn’s disease

It’s important for you to work with your healthcare provider to manage your disease. Follow all instructions about medicines, diet, and lifestyle changes.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider if your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms.

Key points

• Crohn's disease is when there is redness and swelling (inflammation) and sores or ulcers along your digestive tract.
• It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• In most cases it affects the small intestine. But it may affect your whole digestive tract.
• It is a long-term, chronic condition.
• There is no cure. Making some diet changes may help ease symptoms.
• Most people with Crohn's disease need to stay on long-term medication to limit the development of other medical problems in the future.  Surgery may be needed.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
• At the visit, write down the names of new medicines, treatments, or tests, and any new instructions your provider gives you.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.