Crohn's Disease

Definition: Crohn's disease can involve any part of the
alimentary tract from the mouth to the anus.  The presenting
symptoms can be quite variable.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping abdominal pain,
diarrhea, weight loss, arthritis, perirectal abscesses,
or weakness can be the primary complaint.

Crohn's is a chronic inflammatory process involving the
entire bowel wall and the surrounding mesentery and
lymph nodes.  The bowel wall is thickened and
edematous which in turn narrows the lumen and
can cause stricture formations.  The mucosa will get
a cobblestone appearance because of deep traverse and
longitudinal fissures and ulcers.  Abscesses and
fistulas between the bowel and adjacent structures are
common.

Diagnosis takes time and may require endoscopy and
xray studies.

Therapy: Therapy will consist of the symptoms along with
chronic maintaince.  Prednisone is commonly used, yet other
steroids within the same class may be better tolerated.
Sulfasalazine is used for some patients.  Flagyl, an
antibiotic has some good results for some patients.
And again, the therapy will probably have to be individualized.

People with Crohn's will need to have a single physician
or a small group of physicians working on their therapy
program.  In some cases, Crohn's patients will need
surgery, and a surgeon will be need to be brought in.

Crohn's is a chronic disease and persons with Crohn's will
need to have regular visits to maintain this problem.
Many physicians will help the Crohn's patient maintain
a supply of pain medicines, therapy medicines and even
antibiotics, because the Crohn's patient learns their
disease process and can learn when to treat themselves.