Chrons Disease
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Description:
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and even malnutrition.
Symptoms:
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may develop gradually or come on suddenly without warning.
Diagnosis:
The doctor will review your symptoms and examine you. The exam usually includes a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (a procedure in which the doctor uses a scope to look at the inside of your intestine or colon). Often the doctor will take a small piece of bowel tissue for testing. The doctor may also want a sample of your stool (bowel movement) for testing. Other tests may include a blood test and a barium x-ray study to examine the colon and small bowel (particularly the end section of the bowel). A CAT scan may also be needed.
General Information:
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and even malnutrition.
Symptoms:
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may develop gradually or come on suddenly without warning.
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain or cramping
- blood in urine
- ulcers
- reduced appetite
- weight loss
Diagnosis:
The doctor will review your symptoms and examine you. The exam usually includes a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (a procedure in which the doctor uses a scope to look at the inside of your intestine or colon). Often the doctor will take a small piece of bowel tissue for testing. The doctor may also want a sample of your stool (bowel movement) for testing. Other tests may include a blood test and a barium x-ray study to examine the colon and small bowel (particularly the end section of the bowel). A CAT scan may also be needed.
General Information:
- Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families.
- People with Crohn’s disease may have a biological relative—most often a brother or sister—with some form of IBD.
- Crohn’s disease occurs in people of all ages, but it most commonly starts in people between the ages of 13 and 30.
- Men and women who smoke are more likely than nonsmokers to develop Crohn’s disease.
- People of Jewish heritage have an increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease, and African Americans have a decreased risk.