What Are the Causes & Effects of Crohn's Disease?

Crohn's disease is a condition with poorly understood causes but very obvious effects. It is centered in a person's intestines where it triggers symptoms and effects that can interfere with daily life and lead to short- and long-term complications. Although it cannot be prevented or cured, understanding the risk factors and affects will help patients cope with this disease and lessen its impact on their functioning.

Definition

• Crohn's disease is a disease that affects the lining of a person's digestive tract. According to the Mayo Clinic, is considered to be an inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. Crohn's disease causes the digestive tract lining to become inflamed, and this inflammation can move down into the deep tissue layers. It may be painful and disabling, and, at its worst, it can cause dangerous complications.

Symptoms

• A person suffering from Crohn's disease often has abdominal pain and cramping and severe bouts of diarrhea. Because of the pain and digestive effects, Crohn's disease sufferers often have a reduced appetite. They may also notice blood when they have bowel movements because the inflamed tissue in their digestive tract can bleed when food passes through.

Effects

• Crohn's disease can have severe effects on a person's life and interfere with their daily activities. The disease causes cells in the intestine to secrete excessive amounts of water that the colon is unable to absorb, which leads to diarrhea. In severe cases, a person may have so many bowel movements in a day that they interfere with daily activities and sleep. Excessive diarrhea can even lead to malnutrition, as it can inhibit proper absorption of nutrients.
  The inflammed areas caused by Crohn's disease can eventually get larger and penetrate the walls of the intestine, resulting in ulcers. The inflammation can also spread to nearby organs such as the bladder, which can result in pus-filled abscesses or fistulas.

Causes

• The exact cause or causes of Crohn's disease has not been pinpointed. It is suspected that the disease might be triggered by a virus or bacteria that attacks the intestines. When the body's immune system tries to fight the infection, the characteristic inflammation could result. Heredity also seems to play a role, as 20 percent of people who develop Crohn's disease have a close family member, such as a parent of sibling, who also suffers from the disease. Smoking and use of the acne medication isotretinoin are also believed to increase the risk.

Treatment

• Although there is no known cure for Crohn's disease, treatment is centered around reducing the unpleasant effects. Doctors usually prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs or medications that supress the immune system. If a person has developed ulcers, abscesses or fistulas, they may also take antibiotics to combat these effects.
  Patients can also take over-the-counter drugs such as pain killers and drugs to fight diarrhea to keep symptoms under control.