Running Head: An Examination of Crohn's Disease A Comprehensive Examination of Crohn's Disease Madi Elliott April 2016 An Examination of Crohn's Disease Crohn's Disease is a rare, chronic disorder that is classified as a form of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease). Although it's cause isn't completely clear, recent research has shown that it may be influenced by variations in certain genes, as well as chromosomes number 5 and number 10. There are many other influences, however, on the cause of Crohn's Disease. This disease often results in a wide range of symptoms. The diagnosis of Crohn's is determined through various tests. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Crohn's, only different forms of treatment. Research and tests are still …show more content…
The immune system responds by sending out cells throughout the blood stream to fight the bacteria. This causes inflammation, which is a normal reaction to this response. However, in a person with Crohn's, the inflammation is severe and very persistent. This inflammation stretches deeply into the bowels, thus causing major problems and deeply scarring all layers of the lining. It is the relentless inflammation that triggers the symptoms of Crohn's. The inflammation is most common in the ileum, or the lowermost portion of the small intestine (hence the original name Regional Ileitis). Although …show more content…
inflammation is most common in the ileitis, it can develop anywhere in the entire digestive tract, spanning from mouth to anus. Figure 3 shows what the GI tract looks like with Crohn's disease compared to a healthy GI tract. The inside of the GI tract of a person with Crohn's Disease has a very cobblestone-like appearance and a fatty-type wrapping. It also shows fissures and muscular hypertrophy which sometimes occur as a part of or as a result of Crohn's Disease. Figure 4 illustrates the narrowing of the GI tract due to inflammation and swelling as well as an abscess. An abscess is an area containing a significant amount of pus. Abscesses are one of the complications that is possible for those with Crohn's
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and even malnutrition. Inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people. The inflammation caused by Crohn's disease often spreads deep into the layers of affected bowel tissue. Like ulcerative colitis, another common IBD, Crohn's disease can be both painful and debilitating, and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications. Although it may involve any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus, it most commonly affects the last part of the small intestine (ileum) and/or the large
3. Describe the factors that are believed to contribute to the etiology of Crohn’s disease.
Crohn’s disease is characterized by inflammation of segments of the GI tract. The parts of the tract where Crohn’s disease is most often seen are in the terminal ileum, jejunum, and right side of colon. Involvement of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum is
Crohn 's disease is one of two conditions referred to by the term "Inflammatory Bowel Disease" (IBD). The other condition that is referred to as an IBD is called Ulcerative Colitis. Both Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis are conditions that cause recurring or persistent inflammation in one or more sections of the intestine. The literal definition of "inflammation" is "being set on fire". It is a protective reaction that happens when tissue is injured or destroyed. There are two types of inflammations. The first is acute inflammation, which is defined by heat, redness, pain and swelling. The
Symptoms of Crohn's disease vary from person to person and can be mild to severe. The symptoms of Crohn's disease depend on which part of the GI tract is inflamed. The GI tract refers to the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small & large intestines and anus. Some common Crohn's disease symptoms include (Diagnosis and Assessment of Crohn's Disease):
Crohn 's disease can be both painful and incapacitating, and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications. If you think you are showing signs of Crohn’s Disease, loss of appetite, weight loss, and feeling of low energy, and fatigue, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Crohn 's disease in children may delay growth and development. Remember, only your doctor can render a diagnosis, so seek medical attention if experiencing any of these symptoms because in more severe cases, Crohn’s can lead to tears in the lining of the anus, which may cause pain and bleeding. Inflammation may also cause a fistula to develop, which is a tunnel that
Complications of Crohn’s may include bowel obstructions, ulcers, fistulas, malnutrition, anal fissures, colon cancer and other health problems. The bowel may become thickened and narrowed disallowing digestive contents to exit
Crohn's disease effects the ability of immune cells to eliminate bacteria, and also effects the functions of Paneth cells. There is decreased mucus secretion by goblet cells and changes in junctions between epithelial cells that increase intestinal permeability. This can lead to erosions of the intestinal mucosa. Some events that would occur would be fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain, and prolonged
The name for these erosions is aphthous ulcers. These erosions, after a while, start to deepen and grow in diameter. Once they reach a certain size, they can be referred to as ulcers. These ulcers can cause scarring and they can also cause the bowel to become stiff and lose its elasticity. As Crohn’s worsens, the bowel becomes obstructed once the passageways narrow enough. This obstruction can cause a buildup of food that is still being digested, fluid and gas that comes from the stomach. This obstruction will then prevent all of those products from entering into the colon. This will cause severe abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and even abdominal distention. If the ulcers located in the walls of the bowel become large or extreme enough, holes can form in the walls of the bowel. Once those holes are formed in the bowel, the bacteria normal to the bowel can then pass through those holes and spread to nearby organs and into the abdominal cavity causing what are called fistulas. These fistulas are like a channel/tunnel that is formed between the ulcer and the adjacent organ. Then when a fistula is created between the affected intestine and the bladder, it is called an enteric-vesicular fistula which can lead to UTI’s and feces being presented during urination. Next, when the fistula is formed between the intestine and skin, it is called an enteric-cutaneous fistula. What this fistula, pus and mucous exit the body through a painful opening found in the skin of the
While symptoms differ from patient to patient, some may be more common. Symptoms consist of Diarrhea, bleeding out of the rectum, serious need to move bowels, Stomach cramps along with pain, Sensation of incomplete evacuation, Constipation, Fever, Loss of appetite, Weight Loss, Fatigue, Night sweats, and Loss of normal menstrual cycle. Crohns Disease affects the area of the small intestine and the colon. Diagnosis consist a standard physical exam of your body followed by some basic questions to help physicians learn more about your general health, diet, family history, and environment. After the basic procedures are done there will be a couple of laboratory tests done to study bloody stool, as well as X-rays of the upper and lower GI
Crohn's Disease Crohn' s disease is a bowel disease characterized by inflammation of the different layers of the gastrointestinal tract. It can be distinguished from ulcerative colitis (a similar disease) in that Crohn' s affects any part of the gut, whereas ulcerative colitis only affects the innermost layer of the colon and rectum. About 15% of Crohn' s patients have severe fistulating disease. In this form, ulcer-like channels develop from the bowel wall and burrow all the way to the skin surface. Eventually, 75% of these patients require surgery. It is estimated that approximately one million Americans suffer from Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. The total cost for Crohn's disease was $43.1 million in 1994. While drug therapy accounted
In the United States alone, more than 1.4 million citizens have Crohn’s disease, but many do not know what it is (Sklar, 2002), p. 11). Crohn’s disease is an “inflammatory bowel disease … [that] may affect any part of the whole digestion tract” (History Cooperative, 2014). What exactly causes Crohn’s disease? Crohn’s disease has no known causes, but there have been studies showing that the environmental, the immune, and genetics play a factor in it.
First of all, Crohn’s disease usually involves the small intestine and it may lead to nutrient malabsorption. One thing that has been figured out by researchers is, genetic and environmental factors definitely contribute to the development of Crohn’s disease. This disease can really occur in any region of the Gastrointestinal Tract (GI Tract) but, for most cases it will affect the ileum, and the large intestine. Patients who suffer from Crohn’s disease will likely develop Lesions in different areas in the intestine, and eventually normal tissue separating the affected areas. Inflammation of the intestine can extend deeply into intestinal tissue and this usually is caused by ulcerations, fistulas, or fissures. Fistulas are normally the main cause out of those three, this is where abnormal passages between the organs or tissues allow the passage of fluids or secretions. With scar tissue resulting from Fistulas, the tissue eventually thickens, and this narrows the lumen and it sometimes causes strictures and/or obstructions. We know that having Crohn’s disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be defined as the chronic condition (it is persistent/ long-standing disease) resulting from inappropriate mucosal immune activation. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can start at any age. However, it is frequently seen among teenagers And also among young adults in their early twenties, both genders can be affected by this disease. There are two conditions that traditionally comprise inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Ulcerative colitis and crohns disease. Comparison between Ulcerative colitis and crohns disease are clinically useful, because distinguishing between the two conditions allow specialists to choose the right management way. Comparison between Ulcerative colitis and crohns disease are
The term Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a general name given to a few disorders that all fall under the category of inflamed intestines (they become red and swollen.) This is usually due to a reaction the body causes against its own intestinal tissue. The two most common types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease are Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD). Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract; however, it more commonly affects the small intestine or colon.