Crohns Disease

Crohns Disease By: Kaitlyn Kostyo

What is Crohns Disease?It is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract.Crohns disease belongs to a group of conditions known as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)

What part of the body does it affect?Crohns most commonly affects the end of the small bowel and the beginning of the colon, can also affectthe entirethickness of the bowel wall

Who is affected?Crohns disease may affect as many as 700,000 Americans. Men and Women are equally likely to be affected.The disease can occur at any age, but is most frequently seen among adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 35.

Signs/SympotmsPersistent DiarrheaRectal bleedingUrgent need to move bowelsAbdominal cramps and painSensation of incomplete evacuationConstipation

Causes of CrohnsDiet and stress may aggravate Crohns Disease, but they do not cause Crohns.research suggests hereditary, genetics, or environmental factors such as developed countries rather than undeveloped countries, urban rather than rural areas, and in northern rather than southern climates may contribute to the development of Crohns.

The GI tract normally contains harmless bacteria, many of which aid in digestion. The immune system usually attacks and kills foreign invaders, such as bad bacteria. Under normal circumstances, the harmless bacteria in the intestines are protected from such an attack. In people with IBD, these bacteria are mistaken for harmful invaders, leading to chronic inflammation, ulceration, thickening of the intestinal wall, and eventually causing symptoms of Crohns disease.

Early testslaboratory tests of blood and stool matter, as well as X-rays of the upper and lower GI tract

Endoscopy and BiopsyColonoscopy: insertion of a flexible tube through the opening of the anus and allows for the examination of the colon, the lowest part of the large intestine.Upper Endoscopy: the insertion of a flexible tube through the opening of the mouth, down the esophagus, into the stomach, and as far as the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.

Treatment options MedicationDiet & NutritionSurgery- involves removal of the diseased segment of bowel, then joining together the two ends of healthy bowel