How serious is Crohn's disease exactly?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can cause intestinal absorption disorders, malnutrition, and decreased body resistance leading to fever. The inflammation of the intestines can trigger abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bowel obstruction, and ischemic necrosis of the intestinal wall can lead to perforation and bloody stools. It can also affect other organs such as joints, liver, and skin, causing damage. Currently, the cause of Crohn's disease is not well understood, and it tends to have a long course, with frequent relapses and is difficult to cure completely. The current treatment methods combine pharmacotherapy with surgical techniques to treat complications and minimize damage to organs.

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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.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Is Crohn's disease contagious?

Crohn's disease is not contagious and its specific causes are not particularly clear. It is an inflammatory bowel disease and can be treated in the gastroenterology department. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, accompanied by fever and nutritional disorders, among others. It may also be complicated by acute perforation, rectal bleeding, intra-abdominal abscesses, and malabsorption syndrome. The course of the disease tends to be prolonged and recurrent, making it difficult to cure. The clarity and severity of the lesion, the length of the course of the disease, and the rate of recurrence after surgery are related. Because it is not contagious, it cannot be transmitted among the population.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Can people with Crohn's disease eat eggs?

Patients with Crohn's disease can eat eggs, but should focus on consuming primarily egg whites and avoid egg yolks as much as possible. The general principle for their diet should be to have smaller, more frequent meals that are high in calories and low in fat. Vegetables such as yams, carrots, and potatoes can be included, while cold, spicy, and irritating foods should be avoided. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease of unknown cause, potentially resulting in complications like intestinal obstruction, perforation, and rectal bleeding. During active phases, it is important to rest, avoid excessive fatigue, and timely replenish needed nutrients and fluids.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
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What does Crohn's disease abdominal pain feel like?

Crohn's disease is an inflammation that occurs in the intestines, most commonly found in the terminal ileum and the right half of the colon. Due to the irritation from the inflammation, there is noticeable abdominal pain, which often presents as cramping, and sometimes as dull pain. The severity of the abdominal pain varies with the intensity of the inflammation. In addition to abdominal pain, symptoms may include diarrhea or manifestations of intestinal obstruction. Due to damage to the intestinal wall, complications such as intestinal perforation or rectal bleeding can occur, as well as fever and extraintestinal manifestations like malabsorption disorders. Crohn's disease tends to recur frequently and has a protracted course. It is not easily cured, and thus, strengthening daily care is essential.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Is a small intestine ulcer the same as Crohn's disease?

Small intestinal ulcers and Crohn's disease are different. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease of unknown cause, commonly occurring in the terminal ileum and right half of the colon. Small intestinal ulcers may be caused by intestinal inflammation and damage to the mucosa, making the ulcers easier to heal, whereas Crohn's disease tends to recur frequently and is not easily cured. Crohn's disease can also affect the joints, skin, liver, and other parts, and may be complicated by acute perforation, bloody stools, intra-abdominal abscesses, and malabsorption syndrome. It is advisable to consult a gastroenterologist and pay attention to adjusting the diet structure, eating meals regularly, and maintaining nutritional balance.