What is crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease is a lifelong inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In Crohn's disease, parts of the digestive system get swollen and have deep sores called ulcers. This can result in symptoms such as belly pain and diarrhea.

Crohn's disease usually is found in the last part of the small intestine and the first part of the large intestine. But it can develop anywhere in the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.

Crohn's disease may be defined by the part of the digestive tract involved, such as the rectum and anus (perianal disease) or the area where the small intestine joins the large intestine (ileocecal disease).

The main symptoms of Crohn's disease are belly pain and diarrhea (sometimes with blood). Losing weight without trying is another common sign.

Less common symptoms include mouth sores, bowel blockages, anal tears (fissures), and openings (fistulas) between organs.

Infections, hormonal changes, smoking, medicines, and lifestyle changes can cause your symptoms to flare up. Your symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe.

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam. You may also have lab tests or imaging tests to find out if you have Crohn's disease.

Tests that may be done to diagnose or evaluate Crohn's disease include:

• Stool analysis. This test looks for blood and signs of infection in a sample of your stool.
• One or more imaging tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI.
• Colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. In these tests, the doctor uses a thin, lighted tube to look inside the colon.
• A biopsy. The doctor takes a sample of tissue and tests it to find out if you have Crohn's disease or another disease, such as cancer.
• Barium X-rays of the small intestine or colon.

Your treatment will depend on the type of symptoms you have and how bad they are. Medicines are the most common treatment for Crohn's disease. Mild symptoms may be treated with over-the-counter medicines to stop diarrhea. Prescription medicines can control or prevent inflammation in the intestines and help relieve symptoms. They also promote the healing of damaged tissues.

People who have more severe, long-lasting symptoms may need other treatments. These may include liquid feedings (supplemental nutrition) to let the intestines rest and heal or surgery to remove the damaged part of the intestine.

• Call your doctor if you think your child is having a problem with any medicines.
• Do not give your child anti-inflammatory medicines. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve). They may make symptoms worse.
• Talk to your doctor before you give your child any other medicines or herbal products.
• Avoid foods that make symptoms worse. These might include milk, high-fiber foods, or spicy foods. It may help to keep a diary of foods that make symptoms worse.
• Offer your support. Children tend to have a harder time managing the disease than adults. Encourage your child to stick with treatment so they can feel better, start growing again, and lead a more normal life.
• Talk to a dietitian to make sure your child is getting the nutrition, including vitamins and minerals, that they need.
• Be sure your child is up to date on all immunizations.
• Follow the doctor's recommendations for any cancer screening.