Staff of aeConnecticut Colon & Rectal LLC

440 New Britain Ave. Plainville, CT 06062

For an appointment call (860) 826-3880

Quick Links

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease, also known as Crohn syndrome and regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of your GI tract, from mouth to anus. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and weight loss. Diarrhea may be bloody if the inflammation is serious. Crohn's disease can result in external problems, like arthritis, skin rashes, eye inflammations and a feeling of tiredness. You may also experience bowel obstruction and you are at greater risk of bowel cancer if you have Crohn's Disease.

Crohn's Disease, the Ileal type
Ileal Crohn's Disease Inflammation Area

Causes

Crohn's disease is caused by genetics, bacterial factors, environmental factors and issues with your immune system. Your immune system will attack your gastrointenstinal tract, but it is not an autoimmune disorder. About half of those who have Crohn's Disease have it because of genetic factors. If you smoke, you are two times more likely than non-smokers to develop Crohn's Disease. Crohn's Disease may begin with gastroenteritis. It tends to start in your teens or twenties, but it may start at any age. It affects either gender equally. You will tend to have symptoms for years before it is diagnosed. Crohn's disease is characterized by chrinic recurring periods of flare-ups and then remission. you may run a low-grade fever during a flare-up.

Ileocolic Crohn's Disease
Ileocolic Crohn's Disease Inflammation Areas

Diagnosis

We can diagnose Crohn's Disease, but this is a disease that is hard to diagnose. We will require a number of tests and your results may leave a certain amount of uncertainty that what you have is, indeed, Crohn's Disease. We will perform a colonoscopy, a CT scan, take biopsies and do bloodwork. We may also use a capsule endoscopy to examine your small intestine. If you suspect that you may have Crohn's Disease, please call us for an appointment at (860) 826-3880.

Colonic Crohn's Disease
Colonic Crohn's Disease Inflammation Areas

Treatment

There is no cure for Crohn's Disease. In cases where remission is possible, a relapse can be prevented and your symptoms may be controlled with medication and changes in your diet and lifestyle. We may recommend changes in your eating habits, changing from a few large meals to several smaller ones daily, stress reduction, proper hydration, smoking cessation if you smoke, healthier foods, regular exercise and enough sleep. We can also prescribe medications to help avoid the recurrence of symptoms.

If we detect that you have a partial or full blockage of your intestine, we can alleviate that through surgery. We will help you manage this disease so that you can live a healthier life with fewer flare-ups.

Crohn's Facts

Crohn's Disease affects 28 to 199 per 100,000 people in the United States, according to the National Institute of Health. It is more common in northern countries, less common in Africa and Asia. Ashkenazi Jews and smokers are at higher risk.

You should get treated for Crohn's Disease, as it may lead to several major issues, including obstruction, the development of fistulas and abscesses. It also increases your cancer risk in the area where the inflammaion is present.