Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease that affects all layers of the intestine. Irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease share some of the same symptoms, but that is where the similarities end. People with Crohn’s disease also may suffer from rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, skin problems or fever. Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally, and tends to run in families and along ethnic lines.
The most common complication from Crohn’s disease is obstruction or blockage due to thickening of the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue. Medications may help reduce the area of inflammation, but surgery may be required to relieve symptoms that do not respond to medical therapy. Crohn’s disease also may cause deep ulcers to turn into tunnels called fistulas that can connect through different parts of the intestine and into surrounding tissues such as the bladder, vagina or skin. Fistulas may be treated either medically or surgically.
Treatment goals for Crohn’s disease focus on reducing inflammation, correcting nutritional deficiencies and relieving symptoms. The course of treatment recommended by your doctor will depend on the location and severity of the inflammation, other complications, and how well you responded to previous medical therapies.
If you are diagnosed with either condition, you are not alone. One in five American adults has IBS and approximately 500,000 have Crohn’s disease. While both may cause discomfort and may require lifestyle changes, neither is considered life-threatening. For more information about Crohn’s disease, talk with your doctor or visit the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse website at www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov.
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