“Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by inflammation of the digestive, or gastrointestinal (GI) tract” ( AbbVie Inc., 2016). The disease is chronic, meaning that patients will possibly go through periods of disease flares up and triggers symptoms, followed by stages of remission when patients might not notice symptoms. The disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract, which could result in malnutrition, weight loss, fatigue, severe diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Inflammation as a result of Crohn’s disease may include various parts of the digestive tract in different individuals. While the exact causes of the disease are not known, research has shown that a range of factors cause the disease which include the environment, genetics, as well as an overactive immune system.
The Effects of Crohn Disease on the Body
According to AbbVie Inc. (2016), the disease may affect any gastrointestinal tract part between the mouth and the anus, although it more frequently attacks joint between the ending of the small intestine and the opening of the large intestine. The illness can also affect joints, skin, and eyes.
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Diagnosis of the Disease
If someone has symptoms which could indicate the disease, they will likely go through a few various procedures and tests to be diagnosed because there is no single test which may ultimately diagnose the condition. To make a diagnosis, it is vital to find a doctor like a gastroenterologist or other physicians who are specialists in Crohn’s disease ( AbbVie Inc., 2016) . The common Crohn’s disease tests are blood tests and imaging tests.
The Treatment Plan for Crohn's Disease
The disease does not have a cure, although certain treatments may help reduce the number of times a patient experiences recurrences. The disease requires constant treatment and treatment could involve nutritional supplements, surgery, and medication. The goal is to control inflammation, relieve symptoms and treat nutritional problems. There are multiple different medications for treating the disease ( AbbVie Inc., 2016) . Such drugs include immune modifiers, aminosalicylates (5-ASAs), antibiotics, biologic therapies, and corticosteroids.
Reference
AbbVie Inc. (2016). UNDERSTANDING CROHN’S DISEASE. Retrieved from https://www.crohnsandcolitis.com/crohns
