Common Complications of Crohn's Disease

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 11, 2024
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Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that commonly leads to complications such as intestinal obstruction, acute perforation, rectal bleeding, and poor absorption syndrome due to intra-abdominal abscesses. Due to inflammation, there is an increase in intestinal mucosa and narrowing of the intestinal lumen, which makes intestinal obstruction more likely. The decrease in protective barrier function of the intestinal mucosa makes it susceptible to acute perforation, which can also lead to rectal bleeding when perforated. Examinations for Crohn’s disease include colonoscopy, barium enema, CT scans, complete blood count, and intestinal absorption tests. The treatment involves a combination of medication and surgery, as the exact cause of the disease is not very clear, and it tends to have a prolonged course with recurrent flare-ups, making it difficult to cure completely.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does Crohn's disease have a genetic component?

Crohn's disease has a certain genetic predisposition, but not all cases of Crohn's disease are inherited from one generation to the next. Current research indicates that its occurrence is related to environmental factors, immune factors, and genetic factors, with a higher incidence in males than in females. The prevalence of Crohn's disease is not particularly high in China. Symptoms are primarily abdominal pain, diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, and nutritional disorders. Some cases may also involve complications such as iridocyclitis, clubbing arthritis, oral mucosal ulcers, and chronic hepatitis. It is important to rest adequately and adjust your diet, favoring frequent light meals, low in fat and high in calories.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Can Crohn's disease patients take tonics?

Crohn's disease is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease that can occur throughout the digestive tract, presenting with mucosal ulcers in a longitudinal and phased distribution. Crohn's disease can flare up in any part of the digestive tract, and currently, there are no highly effective medications to treat it, and the disease can relapse throughout a person's life. There are many supplements available on the market today, and most of them are composed of traditional Chinese medicines, animal proteins, and other substances. Some specific foreign proteins can directly or indirectly activate immune cells, thus exacerbating the immune response. This can potentially worsen the symptoms of the disease, leading to more severe mucosal damage and an overall aggravation of the condition. Therefore, it is not advisable for individuals with Crohn's disease to consume these supplements indiscriminately. It is best to maintain a good diet and lifestyle habits instead.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Can people with Crohn's disease drink yogurt?

Patients with Crohn's disease can drink milk. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory lesion that occurs in the intestines, where the absorption and digestion functions are impaired. Drinking some yogurt appropriately can help the intestinal absorption function and assist in digestion. Due to the impaired absorption function of the intestines, symptoms such as fever and lowered immune function may occur. At this time, patients need to enhance their nutrition. The dietary principle should focus on eating smaller, more frequent meals that are high in nutrition and low in fat, such as lean meats, egg products, meat products, milk, and fish. It is also important to consume more vegetables to supplement vitamins, such as Chinese yam, carrots, and fresh green vegetables, and to ensure plenty of rest.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Early symptoms of Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease early in its onset is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and intestinal obstruction. As the condition progresses, it can lead to anemia, nutritional disorders, eye involvement, joint involvement, and liver involvement. It is important to maintain a reasonable daily routine, eating multiple small meals that are high in calories but low in fat, and include a variety of vegetables. During active phases, bed rest should be observed, and a diet high in nutrition but low in fat should be provided, combined with medical and surgical treatments. The symptoms of Crohn's disease are prone to recurrence, and the prognosis is not particularly good. It is essential to actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Can Crohn's disease be seen on a CT scan?

Crohn's disease cannot be determined solely by CT scans. A CT scan can be used to assess the general situation, which should then be combined with personal clinical symptoms, routine stool tests, and ideally, colonoscopy and blood tests to make an accurate diagnosis. Crohn's disease is an idiopathic disease, currently thought to be related to genetic factors, and inevitably linked to individual immune factors and dietary habits. A definitive diagnosis can be made through colonoscopy and pathological examination. Care should be taken to avoid consuming raw, cold, hard, spicy, and irritating foods.