Crohn's disease, a
chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine involving only the end of the small
intestine (the terminal ileum). Crohn's disease affects primarily the small and large
intestines but which can occur anywhere in the digestive system between the mouth and the
anus. Named after Burrill Crohn who described the disease in 1932. The disease often
strikes persons in their teens or early twenties. It tends to be chronic, recurrent with
periods of remission and exacerbation. In the early stages, It causes small scattered
shallow crater-like areas (erosions) called aphthous ulcers in the inner surface of the
bowel. With time, deeper and larger ulcers develop, causing scarring and stiffness of the
bowel and the bowel becomes increasingly narrowed, leading to obstruction. Deep ulcers can
puncture holes in the bowel wall, leading to infection in the abdominal cavity
(peritonitis) and in adjacent organs Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and weight
loss can be symptoms. Crohn's disease can be associated with reddish tender skin
nodules, and inflammation of the joints, spine, eyes, and liver. Diagnosis is by barium
enema, barium x-ray of the small bowel, and colonoscopy. Treatment includes medications
for inflammation, immune suppression, antibiotics, or surgery.
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