What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammation throughout the digestive tract, anywhere from the mouth to the anus. Our team are experts at helping patients to deal with the unpleasant effects of Crohn’s disease. They can make the diagnosis and help you to manage your symptoms.

What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease may cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• Diarrhea or loose stools
• Abdominal cramps
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Blood in the stools
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Pain in the anus, with leakage of stools
• Mouth ulcers

Symptoms often come and go, and may vary on severity with each episode. So they may be mild on one occasion and severe the next. There is sometimes a long interval between symptoms. Get checked out at the start and take control of your Crohn’s disease.

Why do I have Crohn’s disease?

The exact cause of Crohn’s is unknown. It often runs in families or it might also be triggered by something in the environment. Some patients may have an overactive immune system, meaning that your body attacks the healthy cells in the gastrointestinal tract.

Irrespective of the cause, the PIMS team can help you to manage your Crohn’s disease symptoms.

Can Crohn’s disease be cured?

No, it cannot. But the symptoms are certainly treatable.

Treatment options can include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Corticosteroids
• Antibiotics
• Drugs which suppress the Immune system
• Medications for diarrhoea
• Diet and nutrition advice
• Surgery

Surgery is a last resort, and usually involves removal of the damaged sections of the intestines, with connection of the healthy segments of the gastrointestinal tract.