Crohn’s disease is a chronic (long-term) autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. It is part of a group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus. Most commonly, it affects the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. The highly experienced doctors at Gastrointestinal & Liver Consultants in Santa Ana, Irvine, Anaheim, and Westminster, California, understand how miserable and painful life with Crohn’s disease can be. They use the most advanced drug therapies to relieve symptoms and prolong remission. Call Gastrointestinal & Liver Consultants today or book an appointment online for effective Crohn’s disease treatment.
Crohn’s Disease Q&A
What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease is an incurable disorder affecting your digestive system, most often the small intestine and colon. It’s one of several conditions collectively called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The other primary form of IBD is ulcerative colitis, a similar disease affecting the colon and rectum.
Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that develops when something goes wrong with your immune system. In people with autoimmune disorders, the immune system attacks cells in various parts of the body as though they were harmful bacteria or viruses. With Crohn’s disease, the immune system damages the tissues lining the gut wall.
What symptoms does Crohn’s disease cause?
Common Crohn’s disease symptoms include:
- Long-term diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Anemia
- Weight loss
- Rectal bleeding
- Pus, blood, or mucus in the stool
- Fever
- Abscesses
- Anal fissures (tears in the anus)
- Poor digestion and malnutrition
- Fistulae (holes in the intestinal walls)
- Strictures (narrow, thickened intestine)
Most people with Crohn’s disease experience periods of remission when these symptoms lessen or go away completely. But symptoms can flare up at any time and be so severe they’re disabling.
How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed?
To diagnose Crohn’s disease, your Gastrointestinal & Liver Consultants doctor performs a physical exam and orders blood and stool tests. They might also arrange diagnostic procedures to look inside your digestive tract.
Medical history and symptoms: Doctors assess symptoms and family history.
Endoscopy or Colonoscopy: These tests allow doctors to view the inside of the digestive tract and take tissue samples.
Imaging tests: CT scans, MRIs, or X-rays can help locate inflammation or complications.
Blood and stool tests: These can detect inflammation, infection, or anemia.
How is Crohn’s disease treated?
There is no cure, but treatments aim to reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and prevent flare-ups. Options include:
- Medications:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Immune system suppressors.
- Antibiotics or antidiarrheal medications.
- Biologics (targeted therapies that block specific parts of the immune response).
- Dietary changes: Avoiding trigger foods and maintaining proper nutrition.
- Lifestyle adjustments: Reducing stress, quitting smoking, and regular exercise.
- Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove damaged parts of the digestive tract
People with Crohn’s disease often experience periods of active symptoms (flare-ups) and times when symptoms go away (remission). Managing the condition involves working closely with a healthcare team, maintaining a healthy diet, and using medication as prescribed.