What is Crohn's disease?

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Crohn's disease

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.

Crohn Disease

Crohn disease is a chronic (slowly developing, long-term) inflammation of the digestive tract. It can affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus but usually involves the terminal part of the small intestine, the beginning of the large intestine (cecum), and the area around the anus. The inflammation causes uncomfortable and bothersome symptoms and may produce serious damage to the digestive tract. Crohn disease is sometimes called regional enteritis or ileitis. It and a similar condition called ulcerative colitis are referred to together as inflammatory bowel diseases. These illnesses are known for their unpredictable flares and remissions. The inflammation usually starts in one or more areas of the mucosa that lines the inside of the intestines. The disease may invade deeper tissues of the intestinal wall and spread to involve more areas of the bowel. Ulcers may form at the sites of the most intense inflammation. The ulcers may spread and become very large but are usually separated by areas of relatively healthy tissue with little or no inflammation. The mucosal lining of the intestines in Crohn disease is often described as looking like a cobblestone street, with areas of ulceration separated by narrow areas of healthy tissue. The damage to the intestinal wall caused by the inflammation results in a wide variety of symptoms and complications.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the digestive system. It is one of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease. The disease can affect any area from the mouth to the anus. It often affects the lower part of the small intestine called the ileum. Crohn's disease seems to run in some families. It can occur in people of all age groups but is most often diagnosed in young adults. Common symptoms are pain in the abdomen and diarrhea. Bleeding from the rectum, weight loss, joint pain, skin problems and fever may also occur. Children with the disease may have growth problems. Other problems can include intestinal blockage and malnutrition.

Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.

Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is an ongoing inflammatory disease of the bowel that most often causes abdominal pain and diarrhea. Crohn's disease involves periodic pain, swelling and redness (inflammation) and loss of tissue (ulceration) of the gastrointestinal tract. Most people have involvement of the lower part of the small intestine (ileum), but any part of the digestive system can be affected, from the mouth down to the anus. Symptoms are most commonly abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea, but vary depending on the location of the inflammation.

Gum disease

Any abnormality, inflammatory or degenerative, of the tissue around a tooth. (Periodontal means "located around a tooth") The term refers to any disorder of the gums or other supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontitis is the inflammation or degeneration, or both, of the dental periosteum, alveolar bone, cementum, and adjacent gingiva. Suppuration ususally occurs, supporting bone is resorbed, teeth become loose, and recession of gingivae occurs. Usually follows chronic gingivitis, Vincent's infection, or poor dental hygiene.

Infectious Diseases

Each infectious disease has its own specific signs and symptoms. General signs and symptoms common to many infectious diseases include: Fever, Loss of appetite, Fatigue, Muscle aches

Celiac disease - resources

If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease , it is very important that you receive counseling from a registered dietitian who specializes in celiac disease and gluten-free diets. Such an expert can give you tell you where gluten-free products can be purchased, and will share important resources that explain your disease and treatment. A dietitian is also uniquely qualified to provide counseling on associated conditions that commonly accompany celiac disease, such as diabetes, lactose intolerance, weight loss or gain, or vitamin/mineral deficiency. The following organizations provide additional information: Celiac Disease Foundation - www.celiac.org Celiac Sprue Association - www.csaceliacs.org Gluten Intolerance Group - www.gluten.net National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse - www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/index.htm

Raynaud's disease

Raynaud's disease is a disorder in which the blood vessels to the fingers and toes (digits) become abnormally closed off (constricted). The fingers and toes of individuals with Raynaud's disease change color from white to blue to red, often causing them to feel numb. Raynaud's disease is sometimes seen with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and lupus, where the body's immune system turns against itself, causing various symptoms. Other causes of Raynaud's disease include repeated trauma/vibration, abnormalities in the structure of blood vessels, and drug injection into one type of blood vessel (arteries).

Liver disease

The term "liver disease" applies to many diseases and disorders that cause the liver to function improperly or cease functioning. Abnormal results of liver function tests often suggest liver disease. See also: Amebic liver abscess Autoimmune hepatitis Biliary atresia Cirrhosis Coccidioidomycosis, disseminated Delta agent (Hepatitis D) Drug-induced cholestasis Hemochromatosis Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Hepatocellular carcinoma Liver cancer Liver disease due to alcohol Primary biliary cirrhosis Pyogenic liver abscess Reye's syndrome Sclerosing cholangitis Wilson's disease