Also known as regional enteritis, a chronic, granulomatous disease of unknown cause involving any part of the gastrointestinal tract, but commonly involving the terminal ileum. Oral lesions may be granulomatous in nature.
A chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract, particularly the small intestine and colon.
Chronic inflammatory disease of the bowel, of unknown origin, also known as regional enteritis, since only some regions of the gut are affected.
Also called regional enteritis or regional ileitis, this is a nonspecific inflammatory disease of the upper and lower intestine that forms granulated lesions. It is usually a chronic condition, with acute episodes of diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and loss of weight. It may affect the stomach or colon, but the most common sites are the duodenum and the lowest part of the small intestine, the lower ileum. The standard treatment is, initially, anti-inflammatory drugs, with surgical resectioning often necessary. The disease is autoimmune, and sufferers share the same tissue type (HLA-B27) as those who acquire ankylosing spondylitis.
Chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract.
An inflammatory disease of the intestines that affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract.
A persistent inflammatory disease, usually of the lower intestinal tract, characterised by thickening and scarring of the intestinal wall and obstruction [Described 1932. After Burrill Bernard Crohn (1884-1983), New York physician.]
A type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by diarrhea, malabsorption, and ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, usually in the terminal ileum and colon. Also known as regional enteritis. The malabsorption that is characteristic of this disease leads to malnutrition.
Crohn’s disease is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory bowel disorder. The disease may be controlled through management of symptoms, but no cure is now available. Crohn’s disease is very similar to ulcerative colitis, and together they belong to a category of disorders referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. Although similar, they are distinct in important ways. Crohn’s disease may involve any part of the alimentary tract mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine but most frequently involves the small bowel and colon. Gastrointestinal involvement is transmural, meaning that all layers of the bowel wall are affected. The inflammatory process is segmental and erratic, often skipping sections of bowel with little predictability of where it will strike next (Kids- Health, 2001). On the other hand, ulcerative colitis is continuous in nature, primarily involves the large intestine and rectum with inflammation limited to the inner mucosal bowel lining, and puts individuals at high risk for developing colon cancer.
Chronic inflammatory condition affecting the colon and/or terminal part of the small intestine and producing frequent episodes of diarrhea (the feces are typically non-bloody and semi-soft), abdominal pain, nausea, fever, weakness, and weight loss. Treatment is by anti-inflammatory agents; antibiotics, if necessary, to control infection; and adequate nutrition. Also called regional enteritis.
Inflammatory bowel disease that can involve any part of the digestive tract; most often found in the ileum, resulting in obstruction of the intestine.
Chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract. Crohn disease is also known as enteritis, ileitis, and regional enteritis. Although it can occur anywhere in the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, this disease most frequently affects the junction of the colon (large intestine) and the ileum (small intestine).
A condition in which segments of the alimentary tract become inflamed, thickened, and ulcerated. It usually affects the terminal part of the ileum and adjacent colon; its acute form (acute ileitis) may mimic appendicitis. Chronic disease often causes partial obstruction of the intestine, leading to pain, diarrhea, and ‘malabsorption. Fistulae around the anus, between adjacent loops of intestine, or from intestine to skin, bladder, etc., are characteristic complications. The cause is unknown. Treatment includes rest, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, antibiotics, or (in some cases) surgical removal of the affected part of the intestine.
A chronic inflammatory bowel disease which has a protracted, relapsing and remitting course. An autoimmune condition, it may last for several years. There are many similarities with ulcerative colitis; sometimes it can be hard to differentiate between the two conditions. A crucial difference is that ulcerative colitis is confined to the colon, whereas Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, including the mouth and anus. The sites most commonly affected in Crohn’s disease (in order of frequency) are terminal ileum and right side of colon, just the colon, just the ileum and finally the ileum and jejunum. The whole wall of the affected bowel is oedamatous and thickened, with deep ulcers a characteristic feature. Ulcers may even penetrate the bowel wall, with abscesses and fistulas developing. Another unusual feature of the disease is the presence in the affected bowel lining of islands of normal tissue.
An inflammatory bowel disease marked by patchy areas of full-thickness inflammation anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. It frequently involves the terminal ileum of the small intestine or the proximal large intestine and may be responsible for abdominal pain, diarrhea, malabsorption, fistula formation between the intestines and other organs, and bloody stools. Like ulcerative colitis, it is most common in the second and third decades of life.
An ongoing inflammation of the lower part of the small intestine.
An autoimmune disease characterized by swollen joints, skin rash, eye inflammation, and gastrointestinal inflammatory symptoms.
A chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin affecting any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly the ileum, the colon, or both structures.
Within the realm of chronic inflammatory diseases, there exists a condition that typically initiates in the gastrointestinal tract, prompting the immune system to launch an attack on the body’s own tissues.
In the realm of chronic inflammatory disorders, there exists a condition that predominantly originates in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to an immune system response where the body’s own tissues come under attack.
Crohn’s disease is a persistent inflammatory disorder that can impact various sections of the gastrointestinal tract, spanning from the mouth to the anus. Although it can manifest at any age, individuals in their mid-twenties are particularly susceptible to this condition.
The terminal ileum, where the small intestine meets the large intestine, is the most commonly affected site of inflammation in Crohn’s disease. Prolonged and chronic inflammation causes the intestinal wall to thicken significantly, and it may give rise to deep and penetrating ulcers. The disease typically exhibits a patchy pattern, with areas of the intestine between the affected segments appearing normal, albeit usually showing mild involvement.
The precise cause of Crohn’s disease remains unknown; however, it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is a possibility that the disease stems from an abnormal immune response to an antigen, which is a foreign protein. Smoking has been identified as a risk factor that not only increases the likelihood of developing the condition but also exacerbates its severity once it has manifested.
The risk of developing Crohn’s disease is elevated in individuals who have a close family member with the disorder.
In young individuals, the involvement of the ileum is frequently observed in Crohn’s disease. This condition manifests with abdominal pain spasms, persistent diarrhea, chronic nausea, reduced appetite, anemia, and weight loss. Furthermore, the ability of the small intestine to effectively absorb nutrients from food is diminished. On the other hand, in elderly individuals, it is more common for the disease to affect the rectum, leading to rectal bleeding.
Complications associated with Crohn’s disease can arise within the intestines or manifest in other areas of the body. The thickening of the intestinal wall can lead to significant narrowing of the intestinal lumen, potentially resulting in an obstruction.
Approximately three out of ten individuals with Crohn’s disease develop fistulas, which are abnormal passageways. Internal fistulas can form between different segments of the intestine, while external fistulas may occur between the intestine and the skin around the abdomen or anus. In the case of external fistulas, there can be leakage of fecal matter.
Abscesses, which are pockets filled with pus resulting from an infection, develop in approximately one out of every five individuals. While a considerable number of abscesses manifest around the anus, there are instances where they arise within the abdomen.
Additional complexities affecting different areas of the body can encompass inflammation in diverse ocular regions, profound arthritic conditions impacting various joints throughout the body, ankylosing spondylitis characterized by spine inflammation, dermatological ailments, hepatic disorders, and the formation of gallstones.
During a physical evaluation, sensitive abdominal protrusions may be detected, indicating the thickening of the intestinal walls. To confirm the diagnosis, a sigmoidoscopy, which involves examining the lower part of the colon (known as the sigmoid colon) and the rectum using a visualizing instrument, may be conducted. X-ray procedures, such as barium follow-through or barium enemas, can reveal the presence of constricted segments of the intestine with deep crevices.
It may be difficult to differentiate between Crohn’s disease when it is affecting the colon and ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease limited to the large intestine. However, colonoscopy (examination of the colon using a flexible viewing instrument) and biopsy (the removal of a sample of tissue for microscopic examination) can confirm the diagnosis.
The primary objective of treatment is to achieve long-term remission of the disease. This may involve administering high doses of corticosteroid medications, either orally or intravenously. Immunosuppressant drugs such as azathioprine or mercaptopurine, as well as metronidazole, may also be prescribed. In addition, enteral feeding, which involves providing easily digestible liquid food directly into the intestines through a tube, can be employed. Once the disease is in remission, normal feeding can be resumed and the dosage of corticosteroids can be gradually reduced. Aminosalicylate drugs like sulfasalazine or mesalazine may also be administered.
Surgical treatment to remove damaged sections of the intestine is avoided whenever possible because the disease may recur in other parts. Many patients do need surgery at some stage, however, to treat problems including perforation or blockage of the intestine.
In certain individuals, those afflicted with the ailment confined to a specific area, a perpetuity of optimal well-being prevails, giving rise to an illusion of complete restoration.