Crohn’s disease is a condition characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes severe inflammation of the small intestine at the point where it joins the large intestine. Researchers believe that it is not caused by anything one eats, although poor diet choices and stress can aggravate the symptoms.
Crohn’s disease is marked by the following symptoms:
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Rectal bleeding
- Significant to severe weight loss
- High fever
- Tenderness in the abdominal area
- Anemia
- Vomiting
Fatigue - An urgent need to pass bowel movements
- Mouth sores
- Nausea
The intensity of these symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Complications associated with Chron’s disease
Crohn’s disease can also worsen and lead to severe complications.
Local complications occur in the intestinal area. Systemic complications occur everywhere else in the body. These are also called extraintestinal symptoms.
Local complications
- Abscess
Pockets of pus form and lodge themselves in the intestinal tract. They are caused by bacterial infections and appear like boils. They cause cramps, pain in the abdominal area, and nausea. These symptoms go away once the abscess is drained surgically, or through antibiotics. - Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
When the good bacteria in the gut reaches higher than normal levels, it leads to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. This complication can cause cramps, indigestion, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Antibiotics are prescribed to treat SIBO. - Bile salt diarrhea
Bile acids are created at the end of the small intestine. When Crohn’s disease affects an individual, this area gets affected. Bile is produced by the body to absorb the fat a person eats. If the bile acids are not produced properly, it can lead to diarrhea. The doctor will prescribe medication to deal with this complication. - Malnutrition
When Crohn’s disease occurs, the small intestine is severely affected. It loses its ability to absorb nutrients from the food one ingests. As a result, there is significant weight loss, loss of bone and muscle mass, and fatigue. - Fissures
Fissures are tears in the rectum and anal lining. They are painful, especially while passing stools, and can also bleed. Sitz baths and topical treatments like ointments are administered to soothe the inflamed area. - Fistula
Sores and ulcers form in the area where the two intestines connect. They can also spread to nearby organs like the bladder and vagina. Medicines will help treat smaller fistulas, but bigger ones require surgery. - Strictures
The intestinal walls become inflamed and thickened due to Crohn’s disease. This leads to the development of intestinal blocks, resulting in abdominal pain, cramps, and nausea. Medication is administered, and for severe cases where the blocks keep recurring, surgery is advised.
Systemic complications
These include complications which occur elsewhere in the body and are not limited to the gastrointestinal tract. The primary reason behind this is the inflammation that affects the whole body.
- Joint pain
- Arthritis
- Painful inflammations in the eyes
- Inflammations of the skin, leading to rashes, sores, skin tags, and so on
- Mouth ulcers
- Kidney stones and uric acid stones
- Gallstones
- Hepatitis
- Pancreatitis
- Fatty liver disease
