Most commonly, Crohn's affects your small intestine and the beginning of your large intestine. However, the disease can affect any part of your digestive tract, from your mouth to your anus. Learn more about your digestive system and how it works. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
There's no known cure for Crohn's disease, but therapies can greatly reduce its signs and symptoms and even bring about long-term remission and healing of inflammation. With treatment, many people with Crohn's disease are able to function well.
Aminosalicylates (5-ASA)
Aminosalicylates are thought to be effective in treating mild-to-moderate episodes of Crohn's disease and useful as a maintenance treatment in preventing relapses of the disease. They work best in the colon and are not particularly effective if the disease is limited to the small intestine.
Crohn's disease is not usually life-threatening, but it can cause severe or even fatal complications. Crohn's is a long-term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It most commonly affects the ileum, which is the end section of the small intestine, and the first section of the large intestine, or colon.
Crohn's Life Expectancy: What's the Cap to It? According to research, the average life expectancy of an individual with Crohn's is shorter compared to those who do not have Crohn's. The average life expectancy for females is 78.4 years and for males, it is 75.5 years.
People Most at Risk of Developing Crohn's Disease
Studies have shown that the disease is most prevalent in adolescents and adults up to 30 years of age as well as in White people and Ashkenazi Jews. In recent years, the prevalence of Crohn's disease among Asians and Hispanics has also significantly increased.
Referral to a specialist
If they think you could have Crohn's disease, a GP may refer you to a doctor called a gastroenterologist for tests to confirm the diagnosis.
The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. Researchers think that an autoimmune reaction may be one cause. An autoimmune reaction happens when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body. Genetics may also play a role, since Crohn's disease can run in families.
The CalproSmart self-test is a rapid test for distant monitoring of patients with established chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease. Being a pro-active test, the patient will perform the Calprotectin test at home with regular intervals or at their own discretion.
At present, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis cannot be diagnosed through simple blood tests. However, blood tests are still very important as they may be supportive of the diagnosis and can also be used to monitor the activity of your disease.
Crohn's disease worsens without treatment. When left untreated, Crohn's spreads throughout the intestinal tract, causing severe symptoms and a bleaker outlook to treatment. Colon cancer is more likely to develop in people with untreated Crohn's in their large intestine.
Living with Crohn's disease can be difficult at times, but there's no reason you cannot have a normal life if your symptoms are well controlled. There's no special diet for adults with Crohn's disease, but children may sometimes need a special liquid diet to control their symptoms. Aim to have a healthy, balanced diet.
“The longer this process goes on, the higher the chance that these faulty cells become cancer.” Although Crohn's can affect all areas of the GI tract and other areas of the body, cancers outside the small intestine, colon, rectum or anus are rare.
The condition usually doesn't get better on its own or go into remission without treatment. In fact, it will probably get worse and lead to serious complications. To get you to remission, your doctor will try: Medications.
To help your body digest fibrous foods during a flare, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF) recommends avoiding the skins of fruits and vegetables; raw produce, especially cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower; and high-fiber whole grains, and opt for low-fiber fruits such as bananas and melons.
Foods that are high in soluble fibre and that may help reduce diarrhea include: oatmeal, oat bran, legumes (avoid in flare-up period), rice, rice cereals, potatoes, psyllium, squash, turnips, bananas, applesauce, mangoes, turnips, yams, carrots, corn meal, barley, white breads, papayas.