Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s Disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects mainly the intestines but can involve the entire digestive tract. Ulcers erode away the lining, making the intestine stiff and scarred. People suffering from Crohn’s can have severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, and anemia.

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), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.  In June 2009, the manufacturer of Accutane announced that it notified the FDA of its intent to discontinue the manufacture and distribution of Accutane.

It usually starts during the teenage or early adult years, but it has been found in younger children too. About 500,000 to two million people live with the disease, affecting women and men equally. About one fifth of those with Crohn’s have a first degree relative with an inflammatory bowel disease.

Crohn’s Disease is very complex because it can occur in different areas of the intestines. Inflammation can be found in just the small intestine, the end of the ileum (part of the small intestine), the colon or both.

Complications also occur when ulcers burrow through the intestinal wall. Bacteria can escape and cause infection in other parts of the body. In about a one third of the patients, the anus can be affected. Abscesses, ulcers, or fistulas form which makes voiding and defecation a problem. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, with or without blood, anemia, a high white blood count, and loss of weight are the main symptoms of this disorder.

Crohn’s is not just isolated to the digestive tract, it can also affect the skin and eyes. Painful red spots occurring on the legs are indicative of the illness. It can also cause a painful condition with the eyes resulting in impaired vision.

There are varying degrees of symptoms with the disease. Some people have a mild case and don’t require any medication while others are not so fortunate. The main goal of treatment in these situations is to get the patient into remission. Crohn’s is a very complicated affliction that has no cure and can make life a hardship for those that have to live with it.

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