Medical Minute!…Crohns Disease…..

 What is Crohn’s? Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the lining of your digestive system, which can lead to flare-ups. Very painful!..

These Crohn’s disease symptoms, which range from mild to severe² and vary widely from person to person¹ may also include²:

• Anemia
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss

• The symptoms of Crohn’s disease can be similar to other illnesses, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colon cancer, and ulcerative colitis.³

  To rule out other causes and pinpoint a Crohn’s disease diagnosis, your doctor may run one or more of the following tests^1,2:

  • Blood Work: Blood samples are tested for anemia or signs of inflammation
  • Barium X-ray: When ingested via enema, barium allows internal organs to be seen clearly on an X-ray
  • Colonoscopy: A procedure using a small tube to view the rectum and the intestines
  • Biopsy: Tissue sample of any inflamed area taken for lab analysis
  • Computer-Aided Tomography (CAT) Scan: A procedure utilizing computer imaging and X-ray scanning
  • Video Capsule Endoscopy: Images of the digestive tract are transmitted via an ingested miniature camera to a computer.

GO To Doctor!