Crohn’s Disease
What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease is a complex autoimmune condition caused by the interplay of many factors, including an overexaggerated immune response to gut bacteria and genetics, which leads to inflammation of the small intestine and colon. Most patients have small intestinal involvement, and half of patients will also have involvement of their colon. The age of onset, extent and severity of disease can vary greatly from patient to patient. The disease was named after Dr. Burill Crohn, who first described the condition in 1932.
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, weight loss and failure to thrive or failure to meet growth milestones, when it affects children or teens. In severe cases, ongoing inflammation may cause scarring of the intestine and lead to obstruction, or deep inflammation that can penetrate and cause perirectal drainage or abscess formation. As with many autoimmune conditions, Crohn’s may also manifest with many symptoms outside of the gut – these include joint pain and stiffness, vision changes, eye pain, mouth sores and rashes.
How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed?
A careful history and physical exam are important parts to the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. Often blood tests and stool tests are used to exclude other conditions, and imaging, endoscopy and colonoscopy are often used together to help determine both the extent and severity of disease.
How is Crohn’s disease treated?
Treatment for Crohn’s disease is tailored to each patient, with the goal of choosing therapy that best matches each individual’s disease pattern and severity. Treatment often involves oral or intravenous medications that act on different pathways to help calm inflammation. Surgery may also play a role in the management of Crohn’s disease. Equal effort is also spent on health maintenance — ensuring adequate nutrition, managing vitamin deficiencies that can result from long-standing inflammation, bone health and cancer prevention.
Our experienced team of physicians and advanced practice providers at Associates in Gastroenterology can help you with your concerns, questions and management of all aspects of gastrointestinal and liver disease. We would love to be your gastroenterology practice. Please schedule an appointment either by calling us (719-635-7321) or by clicking here.
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6031 E Woodmen Rd #100
Colorado Springs, CO, 80923
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Endoscopy Centers of Colorado Springs – Audubon Medical Campus
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Colorado Springs, CO, 80909
Endoscopy Centers of Colorado Springs – St. Francis Medical Campus – St. Peregrine Pavillion
6031 E Woodmen Rd #100
Colorado Springs, CO, 80923