What Most Don’t Know About Crohn’s Disease

Living with Crohn’s disease is tough, especially when you don't know a lot about it. Scrolling online isn’t always the best way to discover what you need to know.

However, knowing everything you can about the disease may help you manage your symptoms and avoid flare-ups.

At Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, Dr. Ilyas Memon provides all your digestive disease information. He is an experienced gastroenterologist who provides quick diagnoses and customized treatments to help you manage the symptoms of Crohn’s disease.

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic medical problem when your immune system mistakenly attacks parts of the GI tract, leading to inflammation and other symptoms. Unfortunately, it shares similar symptoms with ulcerative colitis, a condition of the large intestine.

The inflammatory response brought on by Crohn’s disease leads to several uncomfortable symptoms, which include:

• Fatigue
• Cramping
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Malnutrition

Anyone can get Crohn’s disease, although there seems to be a genetic component to the diagnosis. If someone in your immediate family has Crohn’s, you're more likely to develop the condition, too.

Little-known facts about Crohn’s disease

There’s a lot you may know about Crohn’s disease, but there are also things you may not be aware of. Learning everything you can is crucial if someone you love or are living with the condition.

Our team are experts in GI disorders, including Crohn’s disease. We offer all the information you need to know, including these little-known facts:

It usually happens before the age of 30

Crohn’s disease typically occurs before the age of 30, although many people are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 20. It can occur at any time in life but is more prevalent among the younger population.

Crohn’s can affect any portion of the GI tract.

The GI tract involves any organ or part of the body that collects waste and digests your food. Although Crohn’s disease usually affects the small intestine, it can also cause problems in the esophagus, large intestine, stomach, or colon.

Your diet doesn’t cause Crohn’s

Diet is crucial in managing Crohn’s disease, but it’s not what causes the condition. Doctors don’t completely understand the exact cause of Crohn’s disease. Still, they attribute it to genetics and a faulty immune system response.

It affects more than the GI tract

Many people assume Crohn's disease only affects the organs within the GI tract, but that’s simply false. Crohn’s disease can affect various parts of the body, including osteoporosis, kidney stones, joint pain, and rashes or skin sores.

There’s not a definitive diagnostic tool

Another interesting fact about Crohn’s disease is that there’s no way to diagnose it definitively. Getting a diagnosis typically involves ruling out other conditions that cause similar symptoms and tests, such as colonoscopies, CT scans, and fecal occult testing.

What else should I know?

Unfortunately, there's no cure at this time for Crohn’s disease – but we can effectively manage your symptoms through various treatments. It’s a chronic disease that’s hard to cope with, but there’s hope for a better life.

Crohn’s disease treatment aims to decrease inflammation in the GI tract to manage the associated symptoms. However, medication alone isn't always enough to control the symptoms of Crohn’s.

Treatment typically involves a combination of medications, changes to diet, and, in severe cases, surgery. Depending on your symptoms, we use corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and antibiotics.

Diet is crucial to managing Crohn’s symptoms. It may involve steps like avoiding carbonated drinks, eating small meals throughout the day, and drinking more fluid.

Crohn’s goes through flare-ups and remission, meaning you may never eliminate your symptoms – but most people manage it well with professional treatment.

Call Texas Digestive Disease Consultants in The Woodlands, Magnolia, and Willis, Texas, today to discuss your treatment options for Crohn’s disease or request a consultation on the website.