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Medical Specializations


Gastro Enterology => Biopsy => Crohn's Disease


Crohn's Disease


Crohn's Disease, sometimes called regional enteritis, a chronic inflammation of the intestines resulting from an extreme reaction of the immune system. The cause is unknown, although there is a genetic tendency to develop this disease and environmental factors are also thought to play a part. It may occur at any age but is most common in young adults, with most people first affected during their teens or twenties. A small proportion (15 percent) of patients contract the disease after they are 50. Crohn's disease is found mainly in Europe, North America, and Australia.

The symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fever. Anemia is also common due to bleeding from the intestine but such hemorrhaging is rare, occurring in only 1 to 2 percent of patients. The lining of the intestine becomes inflamed and ulcers form. Parts of the lining also become swollen, forming a characteristic "cobble-stoned" appearance. The muscle wall of the intestine becomes toughened and fibrous and some areas may become obstructed. Abnormal passages, called fistulae, may form when the inflammation spreads from the intestine through its wall and makes a hole, allowing partly digested or fecal material to pass from the inside of the intestine to another part of the body.

Crohn's disease is often difficult to diagnose and may be mistaken for other diseases such as ulcerative colitis. Various techniques may be used to facilitate diagnosis, including a sigmoidoscopy (examination of the inside of the intestine with a lighted device). In addition, a biopsy taken from the mucous membrane of the affected intestine and a barium meal (swallowing of barium sulfate to facilitate x-ray examination) may be helpful.

Treatment typically consists of controlling any dietary deficiencies caused by the disease and administering anti-inflammatory drugs called corticosteroids. Drugs to suppress the immune system may also be used to counteract abnormal allergic reactions or exaggerated response to an infectious agent. Some 70 to 80 percent of patients require surgery at some stage of their disease in order to remove the most severely affected areas or to repair fistulae. However, there is no cure for Crohn's disease, and although symptoms may be brought under control for a while, there are often relapses.

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