How is Crohn’s Disease Diagnosed?

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease  that affects the intestinal tract. The symptoms of Crohn’s disease can vary widely, including typical gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Crohn’s disease can also cause symptoms that affect areas outside the intestines like skin rashes, arthritis, tiredness, and lack of concentration. Since there is no known surgical or pharmaceutical cure for Crohn’s disease, all a physician can do is treat the symptoms as they present themselves.

Accutane, also known as Isotretinoin, is a medication that is used to treat acne.  Accutane has many reported side effects.   It has been linked to bowel problems, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.  In June 2009, the manufacturer of Accutane announced that it notified the FDA of its intent to discontinue the manufacture and distribution of Accutane in the United States.

Crohn’s can be a difficult disease to diagnose. A doctor who thinks a patient might have Crohn’s disease might do routine tests on blood work, liver functions, and stool samples to rule out viruses, bacteria, and parasites that could cause symptoms that mimic Crohn’s disease. Once other more common pathogens are ruled out, the doctor might then perform a colonoscopy, which can usually allow the physician to diagnose Crohn’s with about 70% certainty. It is harder to diagnose the disease in the small bowel by colonoscopy because the endoscope doesn’t reach that far, and sometimes the endoscope will miss the infected ileum.

To get a look at the small bowel, a physician may order a radiological test. Most commonly, a patient would drink a barium sulfate suspension solution and then will have x-rays taken. X-rays can show narrowing of the bowel and inflammation. A physician could also order a CT scan or MRI to look for obstructions and abscesses.

Finally, a doctor can have blood work done to determine if a patient is anemic. Anemia can be caused by a Vitamin B-12 deficiency. B-12 deficiency can be caused by Crohn’s disease because it is a vitamin that is absorbed in the ileum.

If you think you may have Crohn’s disease, you should consult with your physician immediately.

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