Crohn’s << krohnz, >> disease, is an illness characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (the stomach and intestines). The disease usually affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, and parts of the large intestine. The disease is also called ileitis, regional enteritis, or granulomatous colitis, depending upon the location of the inflammation. Crohn’s disease is similar to ulcerative colitis, and together they are referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. See Inflammatory bowel disease .
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease vary. They include periodic episodes of abdominal cramps, fever, diarrhea, poor appetite, and weight loss. These symptoms can range from mild to severe. Other symptoms can include joint pain, mouth sores, skin lesions, and inflammation of the eyes and liver. Severe cases of the disease can cause intestinal blockage, scarring, and accumulations of pus within the abdomen. In most cases, symptoms first appear in people between the ages of 15 and 30. When Crohn’s disease occurs in children, it can delay normal growth and development.
Medical scientists do not know what causes Crohn’s disease. There is evidence that some people may have an inherited tendency for developing the disease. Some researchers believe the inflammation is a response to an infectious organism, such as a bacterium or virus. Others think the disease is caused by an abnormal reaction of the immune system. In this reaction, the body attacks its own healthy tissue in the gastrointestinal tract.
There is no cure for Crohn’s disease. Physicians treat the disease with steroid hormones and other anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics may also be used. In severe cases, surgery to remove portions of the intestine may be necessary.
See also Colostomy .
