Crohn’s disease is a lifelong digestive disorder that affects the structure and function of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. People with Crohn’s disease need ongoing care to manage the disease and symptoms. Lalbahadur Nagabhairu, MD, Shams Tabrez, MD, and the team at Gastrointestinal Consultants in Tavares, Orlando, and The Villages, Florida, specialize in diagnosing and treating Crohn’s disease, providing patient-centered, personalized care. Call or schedule an appointment online today.
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and irritation of the intestinal wall along the digestive tract. The inflammation may affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but most often it affects the last section of the small intestine and the first part of the colon.
Prolonged irritation and inflammation from Crohn’s disease damage the GI tract, creating scars that narrow the passageway through the bowel. The inflammation may also tunnel through the wall of the intestine, causing a fistula (an abnormal connection between two body parts).
Researchers are unsure of the exact cause of Crohn’s disease, but they theorize that factors like genetics and infections may play a role in its development. These factors trigger the immune system to mistakenly attack the lining of the bowel, resulting in inflammation.
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease vary and depend on the part of the bowel that is affected. They range from mild to severe and tend to worsen over time.
Common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:
You may also develop other symptoms not related to your bowel, such as joint pain or a skin rash.
The board-certified physicians at Gastrointestinal Consultants ask detailed questions about your symptoms, medical history, and family history to diagnose Crohn’s disease. They run blood tests and stool tests.
The team also performs endoscopic procedures, such as an upper endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, or colonoscopy, to find the areas of inflammation.
The goal of Crohn’s disease treatment is to reduce the number and frequency of your flare-ups. No single treatment works for all. The team at Gastrointestinal Consultants personalizes your treatment plan to help you manage your Crohn’s disease.
Treatment might include:
When medical interventions fail to ease your Crohn’s disease symptoms, the Gastrointestinal Consultants team may recommend surgery to remove the diseased parts of your bowel.
For expert Crohn’s disease care, call Gastrointestinal Consultants or schedule an appointment online today.