What is Crohn's Disease?

I started this blog to not only provide sanity for myself but to all so help others. There maybe people like me that may have symptoms and don't know. For me, it took approximately 10 years to find out that I had crohn's disease. During that time as I stated before, symptoms were not consistent and Crohn's is not on the radar for many doctors. There are other diseases that are similar to crohn's but for my purpose, I will try my best to explain what crohn's is. I will be using information from medical sources as well as giving my input in red. What I have found is that Crohn's reacts differently with everyone. If I may, it is site-specific. Having though a basic understanding will help you. The information I will be providing is from The National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)

 What is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea (I did not have diarrhea but have met a few people who had diarrhea).
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, the general name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines. Because the symptoms of Crohn’s disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine (I had an ulcer in my small intestine, which confused the first Gastrointestinal Tract doctor I saw. He, literally, was confused and told me so. Prescribed me a steroid, that within 2 days, reacted adversely to my body causing lesions in my legs. Needless to say I stopped taking the medicine, left him and my family doctor referred me to a doctor at Emory hospital). In Crohn’s disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased bowel.

What Causes Crohn's Disease?
Several theories exist about what causes Crohn’s disease, but none have been proven. The human immune system is made from cells and different proteins that protect people from infection. The most popular theory is that the body’s immune system reacts abnormally in people with Crohn’s disease, mistaking bacteria, foods, and other substances for being foreign. The immune system’s response is to attack these “invaders.” During this process, white blood cells accumulate in the lining of the intestines, producing chronic inflammation, which leads to ulcerations and bowel injury. Essentially, my immune system is fighting an opponent that does not exist. Scientists do not know if the abnormality in the functioning of the immune system in people with Crohn’s disease is a cause, or a result, of the disease. Research shows that the inflammation seen in the GI tract of people with Crohn’s disease involves several factors: the genes the patient has inherited, the immune system itself, and the environment. Foreign substances, also referred to as antigens, are found in the environment. One possible cause for inflammation may be the body’s reaction to these antigens, or that the antigens themselves are the cause for the inflammation. Scientists have found that high levels of a protein produced by the immune system, called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), are present in people with Crohn’s disease. There again the symptoms and reactions to crohn's is different for each individual.

What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea(I had the abdominal pain. It ranged from minor to unbearable. The past few months, when I had a pain, it would literally bring me to my knees. The pain only lasted for roughly 2 minutes because I would time them. It felt like 30 minutes). Rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, and fever may also occur(In the early stages, I experienced arthritis. The arthritis left and ushered in the abdominal pain. I also had weight loss. Within the past year, I have lost over 50 pounds. The most I have ever weighed in my life has been 170).  Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia. Children with Crohn’s disease may suffer delayed development and stunted growth. The range and severity of symptoms varies. My fear now is that one of my sons may have the Crohn gene.

Crohn's was successfully diagnosed for me by an MRI. The first GI doctor found the ulcer by performing a colonoscopy. Either method is effective. They also perform blood tests. I would say blood tests probably provide the best assessment just because the amount of blood they have taken from me. Every doctor's visit, they were taking blood. I never have blood in my stool so for me there was not internal bleeding.

What are complications of Crohn's Disease?

The most common complication is blockage of the intestine. Blockage occurs because the disease tends to thicken the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue, narrowing the passage (This happened in me which is why surgery was necessary). Crohn’s disease may also cause sores, or ulcers, that tunnel through the affected area into surrounding tissues, such as the bladder, vagina, or skin. (I was lucky on this. My surgeon told me that the Crohn's was trying to attach itself to my bladder. Had that happened, it would have been very bad for me because my waste would be going through my bladder).  The areas around the anus and rectum are often involved. The tunnels, called fistulas, are a common complication and often become infected. Sometimes fistulas can be treated with medicine, but in some cases they may require surgery. In addition to fistulas, small tears called fissures may develop in the lining of the mucus membrane of the anus (I had a fissure back in 2001).

Nutritional complications are common in Crohn’s disease. Deficiencies of proteins, calories, and vitamins are well documented. These deficiencies may be caused by inadequate dietary intake, intestinal loss of protein, or poor absorption, also referred to as malabsorption.

This was the most frustrating part. I was eating but was unable to absorb the nutrients from the food I was eating. Also, when you are having abdominal pains and you associate it with eating, you tend to stop eating as much in fear of  post pain.

Treatment for Crohn's vary. The common thread is that what ever is used to treat Crohn's will lower your immune system. The surgery has cleaned me up internally. Once healed, I can go back to living a normal life and have a better quality of life. I have not had that for some years now. In order to control Crohn's, I will have to the medicine Remicade which is administered through an IV every 8 weeks. I will take this for the rest of my life.

I hope this helps shed some light on the disease if you have never heard of it. Or if you have been having issues similar to what has been noted, you can at least have the dialogue with you primary physician.