Courtesy of Black doctor.org
Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease, has no cure. But there are many treatments, specific to type, and it is possible to keep the symptoms under control. A gastroenterologist offers some tips for understanding Crohn’s disease symptoms for those newly diagnosed.
What is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two types of IBD, diseases involving chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Crohn’s is caused by an overactive immune system. Cases are on the rise, but it’s unclear whether that’s because doctors are getting better at diagnosing it or if environment and diet play a role.
“There is a genetic component, but genetics alone don’t mean you’ll develop IBD,” Coates said in a Penn State Health news release. “It takes a certain type of genetic background mixed with an environmental exposure, such as an infection or a change in the microbiome — or the fungi, bacteria and viruses that reside in the gastrointestinal tract.”
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s typically starts in younger people. Early symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and fatigue. Sufferers may have nutritional deficiencies. They may feel anxious or depressed.
The ongoing inflammation can lead to a narrowing in the bowel, making it hard for food to pass through. People with Crohn’s also may have abscesses and fistulas, which are abnormal connections between the diseased areas and other parts of the body, Dr. Matthew Coates, who treats diseases of the digestive system at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. explains.
Other symptoms can include skin rashes and problems with the eyes or joints.
“A lot of our strategy is focused on keeping the disease under control, and managing the disease activity and complications it’s known to cause,” Coates adds.
Crohn’s disease symptoms in females
Courtesy of Black doctor.org
Around half of women with Crohn’s disease are diagnosed before age 35.
While both men and women experience common symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss, women may also encounter specific issues:
- Menstrual irregularities (such as irregular or painful periods)
- Iron deficiency (potentially worsened by menstrual blood loss)
- Fertility challenges
- Painful sex
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease in men
While Crohn’s disease symptoms can be similar in men and women, some symptoms may be specific to men:
- Sexual dysfunction: Crohn’s disease and its treatments can sometimes lead to decreased sexual desire or erectile dysfunction.
- Increased risk of colorectal cancer: As with women, men with Crohn’s, particularly in the colon, have an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
- Increased risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC): a rare liver disease.
It’s important to note that Crohn’s disease can affect individuals differently, and not all men will experience these specific symptoms.
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease in children
Many children with Crohn’s disease have an abnormal immune system. However, it’s unclear if immune problems cause the disease or vice versa.
Crohn’s disease can occur at any age, but it most often affects people ages 15 to 35. It can also occur in young children.
The risk factors for Crohn’s disease in children and teens include:
- Family history of Crohn’s disease (close relative such as a parent, sibling)
- White race
- American Jewish ethnicity of European descent
- Living in developed countries, in cities, and in northern climates
- Smoking
Symptoms in children can vary and may include:
- Belly (abdominal) pain, often in the lower right area
- Loose stool (diarrhea), sometimes bloody
- Rectal bleeding
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Delayed growth
- Joint pain
- Anal fissure (cut or tear in the anus)
- Rashes
Some children may experience periods with no symptoms, called remission, which can last for years. The timing of remission and symptom return is unpredictable.
The symptoms of Crohn’s disease can resemble other health problems, so a healthcare provider’s diagnosis is essential.
Getting diagnosed
“It’s important to get a proper diagnosis and see an experienced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) provider, preferably at a center that specializes in caring for these conditions,” said Dr. Coates, who treats diseases of the digestive system at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Diagnosing Crohn’s disease is complex, as no single test can confirm it, and symptoms often mimic other conditions like bacterial infections. A thorough evaluation, including medical history and diagnostic testing, is necessary to rule out other causes. This process can take time, so prompt medical attention is recommended if Crohn’s disease is suspected.
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