What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is one of the two types of the GI tract disorder known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Since it causes inflammation it can cause abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, cramping, weight loss, fatigue, fever and malnutrition. Inflammation usually spreads into deeper layers of the bowel. 

Crohn’s Disease

When you suffer from Crohn’s disease, any part of the large or small intestine can be affected. For some, it just affects the colon (large intestine). Crohn’s disease causes the immune system to overreact, causing inflammation. Crohn’s also affects the eyes, skin and joints. According to NIH, half a million Americans suffer from Crohn’s.   

Crohn’s disease consists of 5 main types. Each has their own symptoms. It is typically defined by where the inflammation is located in the GI tract. The following are the 5 types of Crohn’s disease: 

·     ileocolitis

·     ileitis

·     crohn’s colitis

·     jejunoileitis

·     gastroduodenal crohn’s 

Ileocolitis

When the end (ileum) of the small intestine and a portion of the large intestine (colon) is inflamed. The most common type of Crohn’s disease is ileocolitis. 

Below are some of the symptoms you might have with ileocolitis: 

·     significant weight loss

·     diarrhea

·     cramping 

·     middle or lower right part abdominal pain 

Ileitis 

The last (ileum) section of the small intestine becomes inflamed.

Below are the following symptoms for ileitis:

·     considerable weight loss

·     diarrhea

·     cramping 

·     middle or lower right part abdominal pain 

·     in severe cases can include inflammatory abscesses (fistulas) can begin to

    form in the lower right part of the abdomen 

Crohn’s colitis 

Inflammation of the colon and only affects the colon.

Here are some of the symptoms that correlate with Crohn’s colitis:

·      ulcers, fistulas and abscesses around anus

·      diarrhea

·      rectal bleeding

·      joint pain

·      skin lesions

Jejunoileitis 

Middle (jejunum) part of small intestine becomes inflamed.

Below you can find the symptoms that match jejunoileitis:

·     fistulas

·     diarrhea

·     abdominal pain that turns intense 

·     cramps after eating 

Gastroduodenal Crohn’s 

Inflames stomach and the start (duodenum) of small intestine.

Some of the following are symptoms of Gastroduodenal Crohn’s:

·     weight loss

·     loss of appetite 

·     vomiting 

·     nausea 

Crohn’s Physical Traits 

Crohn’s disease can be divided by its physical traits as it progressively gets worse. They are based on three things: your age at the time of diagnosis, body part affected, and the behavior of the disease.

Age

·     child

·     young adult

·     older adult

Behavior of the Disease

·     stricturing (swelling and scarring on the intestine walls)

·     penetrating (causes fistulas, perianal ulcers, abscesses or inflammatory masses)

·     uncomplicated 

Body Part Affected 

·     colon (large intestine)

·     ileocolon 

·     terminal ileum

·     upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, duodenum, stomach)

Diagnosis

In order to get the correct diagnosis, the doctor may want to run some tests since it is unknown as to what causes Crohn’s disease. When you come into the doctor’s office a physical exam will be performed and other diagnostic tests will be done to help determine the problem. The diagnostic tests may include:

·     bloodwork

·     small intestine imagery

·     x-rays of upper and lower GI

·     stool test

·     chromoendoscopy 

·     biopsy 

Once we determine your diagnosis, we figure out a plan that will help control your symptoms and get you back to enjoying your life. Give us a call to our location nearest you or request an gastroenterologist Miami appointment online. We are here help.