Crohn's disease may recur at various times over a lifetime. Some people with the disease may have long periods (even years) of remission, when they are symptom-free.
Signs and Symptoms of Crohn's Disease:
- Cramping/abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Bloating
- Anal pain or drainage
- Skin lesions
- Rectal abscess
- Fissure
- Joint pain
Those commonly affected include:
- Adults between 16 and 40
- Those living in northern climates
- Those with an immediate relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease
Treatments for Crohn's Disease:
- Medication
- corticosteriods (prednisone, methylprednisone)
- inflammatory agents
- 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine (immunosuppressive)
- metronidazole (antibiotic)
- Surgery (for more advanced cases)
The primary goals of surgery are to alleviate complications, achieve the greatest quality of life available and conserve as much bowel as possible. Several different types of surgical procedures may be performed, depending on the type of complication, the severity of the illness, or the location o fthe disease in the intestines. Chron's disease can affect the colon, small intestine, or stomach. Unlike ulcerative colitis Chrohn's disease cannot be cured with surgery.
