Frequently Asked Questions about Crohn’s Disease

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about Crohn’s Disease.

*What kind of disease is Crohn’s Disease?

It is a Chronic Inflammatory disease of the intestines. This can occur from the mouth to the anus.

*What causes Crohn’s Disease?

Although there is much speculation, the cause of Crohn’s Disease is unknown. In most medical literature, bacteria to dietary causes may be the cause.

*How does Crohn’s Disease affect the intestines?

The first stages of Crohn's disease occur when inflammation begins in one or several areas of the mucosa that lines the intestinal wall, and then small erosions occur on the bowel's surface (mucosa). Over time these erosions expand in width and depth to become ulcerations. The inflammation eventually damages the intestinal wall and the intestine can no longer absorb water, fats, and nutrients. As the disease progresses, some scar tissue can form. The scars can result in stiffness of the bowel and also cause narrowing of the bowel's tubular form. This stiffness and narrowing can lead to bowel obstruction. In addition, the ulcerations may penetrate the bowel wall and allow bacteria into the abdominal space and infect other organs or tissues.

*How is Crohn’s Disease Treated?

Although there is no cure for Crohn’s Disease, symptoms can be treated by Antibiotics, Surgery, and Inflammation Suppressant Medications.

*There usually are no complications as a result of Crohn’s Disease. TRUE or FALSE?

FALSE!!  Unfortunately, complications of Crohn's disease may be numerous and some even life-threatening. Many other organs in addition to the digestive tract can be affected by the disease; for example, the skin, joints, mouth, eyes, bile ducts, and the liver. The serious complications of Crohn's disease that could be life-threatening include abscesses, intestinal bleeding, bowel obstruction, and bowel perforation.

*Crohn’s Disease is a digestive disease that also involves another system in the body.  What is it?

There are two major systems that interact in Crohn's disease. The first system is the digestive system and the second system is the immune system. Unfortunately, the primary target of Crohn's disease is the digestive system, while the immune system when stimulated by an unknown mechanism, causes inflammation of the digestive system.

Information by:

www.medicinenet.com