Crohn's Disease:
What Is It? And How To Get Treatment
What Is It? And How To Get Treatment
What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease (CD) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and refers to a chronic condition where part of the gut becomes inflamed, swollen, and ulcerated.1 This swelling can occur in any part of the digestive system, from the mouth all the way to the anus, but commonly affects the end of the small bowel (also known as the ileum) and the beginning of the colon.12
Though the exact cause is unknown, CD occurs when the immune system breaks down and the body begins to attack itself, causing painful ulcers and inflammation in the gut.1
There are different types of CD, depending on what part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is affected. Sometimes it can affect more than one part. The most common types are:1
Upper part of the gut, including the oesophagus, stomach, or the first part of the small bowel known as the duodenum.
Inflammation of the small bowel (ileum or jejunum), depending on the part of the small bowel affected.
Bowel inflammation at the end of the small intestine. If it also affects the beginning of the large intestine, it is known as ileocecal.
Bowel inflammation confined to the colon.
Continuous inflammation in the area around the anus.
CD that affects the mouth.
Crohn’s disease symptoms
The symptoms of CD depend on the part of your digestive tract that is affected by the disorder and severity.1 The likelihood of developing CD appears to be nearly the same in women and men; therefore, it may not be linked to biological gender.3
You can be diagnosed with CD at any age, though it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 15-40.3
The main symptoms of CD are:1
- Severe stomach pain
- Feeling like you need the toilet right away
- Fever
- Diarrhoea with blood, mucus, or pus
- Bowel obstruction
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Generally feeling discomfort or weakness
Living with Crohn’s disease?
Find more advice and tips on how to live with Crohn’s disease at our “Living With Crohn’s Disease” page.
How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed?
Due to inflammation in CD affecting any part of the gastrointestinal tract (GI), the symptoms can often resemble other conditions such as ulcerative colitis (UC), diagnosis can be complicated.4 As a result, your healthcare team may perform a combination of tests and procedures to confirm the diagnosis.
Medical history
Your healthcare team will take a full medical history, including information about your overall health, diet and nutrition, when your symptoms first started, what medication you have taken and your family history.15
Physical examination
Following the medical history, your healthcare team will carry out a physical examination of the body. This can include your general well-being, measuring your heart rate, blood pressure, as well as an abdominal examination.15
Blood and stool test
A full blood test can show whether you have inflammation anywhere in your body and if you are anaemic. Your stool can also be tested for signs of bleeding or inflammation, and to check whether an infection is causing diarrhoea. A faecal calprotectin test detects whether you have inflammation in your gut.15
Endoscopy and biopsy
Two further tests are performed to determine the cause of the symptoms and establish a diagnosis: endoscopy and a biopsy.5 Endoscopy is the umbrella term for a group of medical procedures that use an endoscope, a long, thin tube with a small camera, that is inserted into the body through a natural opening like the mouth or the anus.167 It is considered guideline-backed for measuring disorder activity in IBD, playing an important role in diagnosis, management, and treatment of IBD.8
Endoscopic healing refers to the absence of ulcers and erosions in the gut lining during an endoscopy. It is a sign that the inner lining of your intestines is healing, even if symptoms have improved.9
During an endoscopy, a tissue sample from your colon may also be taken, which is known as a biopsy. These are sent to the laboratory to be examined under a microscope to check for any inflammation.5
MRI and CT scans
Imaging tests, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), or an ultrasound, can also be used to aid diagnosis and help monitor the disorder and locate areas of inflammation.105
Want to know about long-term remission?
Find out how endoscopic remission could be the next step on your journey of long term healing.
