Crohn’s disease: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes symptoms such as frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in the stool and even fever.

The exact causes of Crohn’s disease are not known, but it appears to be related to genetic factors or poor functioning of the immune system.

Crohn’s disease has no cure, however, treatment can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life, and must be carried out in accordance with the guidance of a nutritionist and a gastroenterologist.

Main symptoms

The symptoms that characterize Crohn’s disease are:

• Frequent diarrhea;
• Blood or mucus in the stool;
• Dor abdominal;
• Sudden urge to evacuate;
• Excessive tiredness;
• Loss of appetite and weight;
• Fever.

Some people may also experience other symptoms that do not seem directly related to intestinal inflammation, such as frequent mouth ulcers, painful joints, night sweats or skin changes.

Read too: 6 main symptoms of Crohn’s disease (with online test)

Online symptom test

If you think you may have Crohn’s disease, select what you are feeling to know your chances:

The symptom test is only a guidance tool and does not serve as a diagnosis or replace consultation with a gastroenterologist or proctologist.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of Crohn’s disease is usually made by a proctologist or gastroenterologist, through observation of the symptoms presented and the person’s health history.

In addition, some tests such as colonoscopy, endoscopy or stool examination may be indicated to rule out other diagnostic hypotheses, such as intestinal infection or ulcerative colitis, for example, which may present similar symptoms.

Make an appointment with your nearest doctor using the following tool to assess your risk of having Crohn’s disease:

Possible causes

The causes of Crohn’s disease are not yet fully understood, however it is believed that it may be influenced by factors such as:

• Genetics: Crohn’s disease appears to be more common in people who have a close relative with the disease;
• Immune system changes: lead to an exaggerated response by the body during an infection, causing an attack on the cells of the digestive system;
• Changes in the intestinal microbiota: it can cause an imbalance in the amount of bacteria present in the intestine, altering its functioning;
• Cigarette: Cigarettes contain substances such as nicotine, carbon monoxide and free radicals that can alter the way blood flows to the intestines.

Crohn’s disease can appear at any stage of life, but it is more common after periods of great stress or worry. Furthermore, it can also happen due to prolonged use and/or without medical indication of medications such as oral contraceptives, antibiotics or anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or diclofenac, for example.

How the treatment is carried out

The treatment of Crohn’s disease should always be carried out in accordance with the guidance of the gastroenterologist and nutritionist and aims to reduce intestinal inflammation, relieving symptoms and preventing complications. The main treatments for Crohn’s disease are:

1. Use of medications

Medications used to treat Crohn’s disease should always be recommended by a gastroenterologist and are indicated to alleviate symptoms or prevent attacks and include:

• Corticosteroids such as prednisone or budesonide to help reduce inflammation of the intestine;
• Aminosalicylates such as sulfasalazine or mesalazine which act by reducing inflammation to prevent and reduce attacks;
• Immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, mercaptopurine or methotrexate, which help reduce the action of the immune system and can be used in cases where there is no improvement with the use of other medications;
• Biological medicines such as infliximab, adalimumab, Certolizumab pegol or vedolizumab that help modulate the actions of the immune system;
• Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or metronidazole can be used in cases of complications due to infection, bacterial overgrowth or perianal disease.

In addition, other medications to alleviate symptoms can be used such as medications for diarrhea, pain or vitamin supplements in the case of nutritional deficiency due to poor absorption of food.

2. Proper nutrition

Inflammation in the intestine caused by Crohn’s disease can impair digestion and absorption of food, which can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain or delayed growth in children, so it is important to follow a balanced diet, guided by a nutritionist or nutritionist, and avoid eating foods that can worsen symptoms, such as coffee, chocolate or raw vegetables, for example. Know what to eat with Crohn’s disease.

Furthermore, if, even with the appropriate diet, there is no improvement in the absorption of nutrients or a reduction in symptoms, the doctor may recommend a specific diet via enteral or parenteral nutrition.

3. Surgery

Surgery may be recommended by your doctor if dietary changes or drug treatment are not effective in improving the symptoms of Crohn’s disease or if complications such as fistulas or narrowing of the intestine develop.

During surgery, the doctor removes damaged portions of the intestine and reconnects the healthy parts.

Possible complications

Crohn’s disease can cause some complications in the intestine or other parts of the body such as skin or bones, for example. Other possible complications of this disease include:

• Narrowing of the intestine which can lead to obstruction and the need for surgery;
• Bowel rupture;
• Formation of ulcers in the intestinein the mouth, anus or genital region;
• Formation of fistulas in the intestine which are an abnormal connection between different parts of the body, for example between the intestine and the skin or between the intestine and another organ;
• Anal fissure which is a small crack in the anus;
• Malnutrition which can lead to anemia or osteoporosis;
• Inflammation in the hands and legs with the appearance of lumps under the skin;
• Increased formation of blood clots which can cause obstruction of veins and arteries.

In addition, Crohn’s disease increases the risk of developing bowel cancer, and regular medical monitoring and colonoscopy examinations are recommended, as prescribed by your doctor. Find out how a colonoscopy is performed.