Crohn’s Disease: Symptoms, Complications and Treatment

Crohn’s disease is an affliction of the bowel and leads to inflammation of the digestive tract. Usually, it affects the small intestine and the colon. Doctors don’t yet know what exactly causes it, but believe it could be due to genetics, poor immunity, or environmental factors.

What are the Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease?

Many of this condition’s symptoms resemble those of other minor stomach ailments. So, it is indicated only when these symptoms intensify and keep recurring.

• Stomach pain
• Bloating
• Diarrhoea
• Bleeding while defecating
• Exhaustion
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Sores inside the mouth

You should immediately consult a doctor on MediBuddy if you notice any of these symptoms.

What happens when you do not consult a doctor at the earliest?

Not only will the relentless pain continue, but the following complications may also develop if you do not get medical help quickly.

• Abscesses form on the inside of the intestines because of bacterial infection and fill up with pus. Alternatively, it could grow near the anus. They cause intense pain and the only cure is draining the abscess.
• It could lead to the development of gallstones, kidney stones, and skin ulcer.
• Crohn’s disease is directly linked to fissures and fistula of the rectum. Both cause pain and bleeding from the rectum.
• Since diarrhoea is a common symptom of Crohn’s disease, you may not eat enough food or your intestine will not absorb nutrients efficiently, thereby culminating in malnutrition.
• Crohn’s disease raises your risk of getting colon cancer.

How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed?

Your doctor will want your detailed medical history and will ask you about the symptoms. You will also have to undergo a physical examination. Your doctor will then prescribe a blood and stool test. If the tests indicate that you may have Crohn’s disease, there will be follow-up tests like colonoscopy, MRI scan or CT scan.

Treatment for Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease medication consists of antibiotics and nutritional supplements that

• Bring down the inflammation in the digestive tract
• Stop diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and the bleeding
• Make up for your nutritional deficiency.

Some medicines can also alter the immune system to stop it from causing inflammation.

Exercises that can help with Crohn’s Disease

Cardio exercises like swimming, walking, jumping rope, sprinting, dancing, and cycling are very effective in curbing the symptoms of this condition because they keep the digestive tract in peak condition.

Diet for Crohn’s Disease

Although certain foods can trigger this condition, it varies from person-to-person. Therefore, you will need to keep track of what you are eating and identify triggers, if any. Some common triggers are –

• Alcohol
• Dairy products
• Caffeinated drinks
• Raw fruits and vegetables
• Nuts

You should also avoid foods that add fibre to the stool. This has been shown to reduce the intensity of cramps and diarrhoea. [av_promobox button='yes' label='Consult a Specialist on MediBuddy' link='https://www.medibuddy.in/?utm_source=blog_cta&utm_medium=blog' link_target='' color='blue' custom_bg='#f00' custom_font='#ffffff' size='large' icon_select='no' icon='ue800' font='entypo-fontello']Crohn’s disease is a painful condition. You should consult a doctor who can recommend the right medication, diet, and exercise to treat it. [/av_promobox] References: webmdmayoclinic