Crohn’s Disease

QUICK FACTS: CROHN’S DISEASE

Symptoms:

  • Abdominal pain, often in the lower right area
  • Diarrhea
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Weight loss
  • Fever

Common Causes:

Theories about what causes Crohn’s disease abound, but none have been proven. The most popular theory is that the body’s immune system reacts to a virus or a bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestine.

Diagnosis:

  • Medical history review and review of symptoms
  • Physical examination
  • Series of tests, which may include:
    • Blood tests
    • Stool sample testing
    • Upper gastrointestinal series (upper GI/barium swallow)
    • Colonoscopy
    • X-rays of both upper and lower digestive tract, if deemed necessary

Common Treatments:

Treatment for Crohn’s disease depends on the location and severity of disease, complications and response to previous treatment.

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