Crohn’s disease refers to a condition of the bowel system. It causes the digestive tract’s inflammation that results in abdominal pain, fatigue, diarrhea, malnutrition, and weight loss. The inflammation in Crohn’s disease can occur in different places of a person’s digestive tract. It often spreads into the deep layers of the bowel tissue that has been affected. It is painful, and if left untreated, will lead to life threats.
Dr.Mark Swaim MD PhD is a well- known gastroenterologist based at Jackson in Tennessee, USA. He has over 20 years of experience treating digestive disorders like ulcers, stomach pain, acid reflux, constipation, and Crohn’s Disease. He completed his education from Duke University and has been associated with some established medical schools in the USA.
When it comes to the symptoms of Chron’s Disease, he says they include-
- Pain in the abdomen
- Fever
- Vomiting and
- Diarrhea with bleeding
- Weight loss
- Anal fistulae
- Perirectal abscesses
He adds, this disease is not contagious, and you will not contract it from another person.
Origins of Chron’s Disease
As per the origins of this disease and its causes, the subject is still under research; its sources are unknown; however, there is an assumption that the wrong diet or poor eating habits could trigger the inflammation of the digestive tract. There are again extensive research studies where researchers and doctors have anticipated that a specific bacteria cause Crohn’s Disease called the mycobacterium.
The emergence of ulcers in the digestive tract
The disease can create ulcers in the colon or the small intestine or even both of these areas. It leads to obstruction of a person’s small intestine.
The most common sign of this disease is the emergence of reddish looking skin nodules tender in nature. Patients suffering from this disease experience inflammation in body parts like the joints, the eyes, liver, and spine.
Both Crohn’s Disease and another medical condition called ulcerative colitis that refers to chronic inflammation of a person’s colon is a kind of inflammatory bowel disease or IBD.
How can you diagnose Crohn’s Disease?
When it comes to testing a patient, there are no specific medical examinations conducted on the patient. The diagnosis of Chron’s disease might be made with a colonoscopy, barium X-ray of a person’s small bowel, and barium enema depending upon the severity and the nature of the condition.
As per Dr.Mark Swaim MD PhD blood tests conducted in a good laboratory will measure white blood cell counts and their sedimentation rates. If the white blood cell count is elevated, this suggests inflammation or infection. A person may be recommended to take extra blood tests that might report a low count of red blood cells, i.e., anemia, less minerals in the body, and low protein in the blood. These tests often reflect the loss of these body minerals as a result of chronic diarrhea.
