Crohn’s disease is a part of a group of conditions called as inflammatory bowel disease. Generally, there are 5 forms of the disease and each have its own set of symptoms.
Close look on Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease is a long-standing condition causing inflammation and ulceration of the intestine or bowel. The condition naturally affects the lower region of the small intestine and colon. It can also develop in any region of the large intestine, small intestine or stomach. The condition can affect individuals at any age but common among those between 15-30 years old.
How does the condition affect the body?
Crohn’s disease can disrupt with the normal functioning of the bowel in various ways such as:
- Swell, thicken or develop scar tissue that results to blockage of the passageway within the bowel.
- Ulcers form that involve the deep layers of the bowel wall
- Inability to properly absorb nutrients from digested foods (malabsorption)
- Abnormal passageways (fistulas) develop in one region of the bowel to another part of the bowl or from the bowel to the adjacent tissues such as the vagina or bladder
What are the types?
- Ileocolitis – most common form that affects the small intestine. It causes diarrhea, pain in the central or lower right region of the abdominal area and weight loss.
- Gastroduodenal – involves the stomach and duodenum and characterized by appetite loss, nausea and weight loss. If the constricted segments of the bowel are obstructed, vomiting occurs.
- Ileitis – affects the ileum and causes similar symptoms as ileocolitis. In addition, there are fistulas that form in the lower right region of the abdomen.
- Jejunoileitis – affects the jejenum and causes areas of inflammation with symptoms such as cramping after meals, diarrhea, fistula formation and intense abdominal pain.
- Crohn’s colitis – only involves the colon with symptoms such as joint pain, skin lesions, diarrhea, rectal bleeding and formation of fistulas, ulcers and abscesses around the anus.
Consequently, remember that there might be an overlap between these various forms of the disease. Some individuals might have more than one area of the GI tract affected.
FACT CHECK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crohn%27s_disease
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353304