Crohn's Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain stemming from Crohn's disease can be debilitating. Crohn's disease consists of chronic inflammation affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Because there is no cure for the disease, it is treated with medications. However, if these fail, there is also a surgical option.

Features

• Crohn's disease has many symptoms, including diarrhea, joint pain, weight loss, and skin rashes. According to the National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse (NDDIC), one common symptom among patients with Crohn's disease is the element of persistent abdominal pain.

Treatment

• The goal of treatment is to keep inflammation in the digestive tract under control while keeping the abdominal pain at bay. Treatment options include anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, immunosuppressives, antibiotics, Infliximab, and anti-diarrhea medication.

Significance

• Crohn's disease affects almost 600,000 people in the United States, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Considerations

• Roughly two-thirds of people with Crohn's disease will need a surgical procedure to remove the diseased portion of the digestive tract. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this option helps with symptoms, namely abdominal pain.

Warning

• The disease tends to cycle through flare-ups and remissions. As the disease progresses, the flare-up periods may produce worsening abdominal pain; therefore, it's helpful to keep a diary of symptoms to share with your physician.