I would like some info about this syndrome.
REPLY:
Crohn's Disease (CD) is one of a group of diseases collectively referred to as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD).
The causes of these diseases is not known.
Crohn's Disease typically involves the small and/or large intestine in an inflammatory reaction manifested by ulcers and scar tissue. The symptoms of CD depend on the location and extent of the disease process both in terms of severity and length of the intestine involved.
The disease can occur in people of all ages but is usually first noted in young adults; children can be affected and can have somewhat different problems than adults as the disease can interfere with growth and sexual development.
The disease is a chronic condition which is not curable but is certainly treatable. Treatment consists of medical treatment including the use of drug and nutritional modalities as well as surgical treatments. The disease cannot be cured by removing the involved intestine since there is a very high tendency for the process to recur in areas which appeared to be normal at the time of the operation. Surgery is needed when the disease reaches a point where medical (drug) management is no longer of benefit and a problem exits such as a narrowing or blockage often due to scar tissue which forms as ulcers come and go in the involved areas of the intestine.
Drug treatments include a variety of agents including cortico- steroids, immunosuppressive agents, and other drugs known to have a positive influence on the symptoms and inflammation of CD.
Patients with all forms of IBD including CD and UC can have involvement of other areas of the body not directly related to the intestinal tract including the eyes, skin, liver, joints, and other body organs.
This group of diseases is best managed by physicians experienced in treating IBD. Often a team approach including (most importantly) the patient, his/her family physician or internist, a gastro- enterologist, a surgeon, other physicians and/or health professionals is the best way to manage these diseases (IBD). A very good source of information on Crohn's Disease is through your local chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. The CCFA can be found in your local phone book or you can reach them at CCFA, 444 Park Avenue South, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10016.
Another excellent source of information is:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Box NDDIC, 9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
or
(301) 468-6344
You can call them for their brochures on Crohn's Disease and IBD.
It is the intention of the moderator of the Digestive Diseases Clinic to post information files on this and other diseases in coming months which will go into much greater detail in areas such as symptoms, cause of disease, epidemiology, diagnosis, diet, treatment alternatives, complications, and sources for additional information.
--
Bruce Sckolnick, M.D.
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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