CROHN'S DISEASE

Crohn's disease (CD) is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of lining of the digestive system.

Inflammation can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the back passage, but most commonly occurs in the last section of the small intestine (ileum) or the large intestine (colon).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Diarrhea: Diarrhea is a common problem for people with Crohn's disease. Severe intestinal cramping also can contribute to loose stools.

Fever and fatigue: Many people with CD experience fever, likely due to inflammation or infection leading to tiredness.

Abdominal pain and cramping: Inflammation and ulceration can affect the normal movement of content in digestive tract and may lead to pain and cramping including nausea and vomiting.

Blood in your stool: High possibility of blood in stool and occult blood is observed

Mouth sores: Mouth ulcers similar to canker sores.

Reduced appetite and weight loss: Abdominal pain and cramping and the inflammatory reaction in the wall of bowel can affect both appetite and digestion and absorption of food.

Perianal disease:  Experiencing pain or drainage near or around the anus due to inflammation from a tunnel into the skin (fistula).

CAUSES

The exact cause of CD is unknown. However, research suggests a combination of factors may be responsible. These include:

Immune system:  It is possible that a virus or bacterium may trigger CD. When immune system tries to fight off the invading microorganism, an abnormal immune response causes the immune system to attack the normal cells in the digestive tract too.

Heredity: Crohn's is more common in people who have family members suffering disease, so genes may play a role transferring disease. However, most people with CD don't have a family history.

RISK FACTORS

·         Age:  Crohn's disease can occur at any age, but develops the condition in younger age.  Mostly Crohn's disease is diagnosed before they're 30 years old.

·         Ethnicity: Although CD can affect any ethnic group, whites and people of Jewish descent have the highest risk.

·         Family history: higher risk if close relative, such as a parent, sibling or child suffering from the disease. As many as 1 in 5 people with Crohn's disease have a family member with CD.

·         Previous infection: Previous infection may trigger an abnormal response from the immune system.

·         Smoking: smokers usually have more severe symptoms than non-smokers.

·         Environmental factors: Crohn's disease is most common in westernized countries such as UK, and least common in Africa.

TREATMENT:

·         Currently there is no cure for Crohn's disease, so the aim of treatment is to relieve inflammation and symptoms and to avoid surgery.

·         Treatment with steroid medication such as corticosteroids.

·         Medication to suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants) and to reduce inflammation anti-inflammatory drugs.

·         In some cases, surgery required to remove the inflamed section of intestine.

COMPLICATIONS:

Crohn's disease may lead to one or more of the following complications:

Intestinal inflammation,

Bowel obstruction,

Ulcers,

Fistulas,

Anal fissure,

Malnutrition,

Colon cancer,

Other health problems and medication risk.