Defining Crohn's: An Illustration of Irritation

What is Crohn's disease?  Crohn's disease is one of two forms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), the other being ulcerative colitis.  Unlike ulcerative colitis, Crohn's isn't confined to the large intestine, but can occur along any portion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus.

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Crohn's irritates and inflames the lining in your gut, which can cause abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, can zap your energy (fatigue), cause you to lose weight, and result in poor eating, which leads to malnutrition.  The inflammation linked to Crohn's spreads into the deep layers of your gut, and often becomes debilitating, ruling an individual's life.  Many people are forced to schedule their lives around the oftentimes severe symptoms associated with this disease.  Sometimes life-threatening complications can result from a flare-up (exacerbation) of Crohn's.  

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People living with Crohn's cannot be cured, however, there are treatments available to reduce symptoms.  It's even possible to force Crohn's into remission (sort of like hibernation for an unknown period of time).  Treatment for Crohn's continues to improve, and people are beginning to function much better in society.

Aside from reading this blog, which will be updated with new information each week, please watch this webcast, created by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), to learn even more about Crohn's disease!

References:

Crohn's disease. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/basics/definition/con-20032061

Lewis, S., & Dirksen, S. (n.d.). Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems (Ninth ed.).

What is Crohn's Disease? (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2015, from http://www.ccfa.org/