Crohn's Disease

Crohn's Disease

    * Introduction
    * Signs and symptoms
    * Causes and Risk Factors
    * Diagnosis
    * Complications
    * Treatment
    * Prevention
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammation of unknown origin that mainly affects the ileum (the terminal portion of the small intestine). Reaching the entire small intestine is exceptional, but very serious. Like ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease belongs to the family of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Crohn's disease progresses by successive outbursts, characterized by the appearance of areas of inflammation, from mouth to anus. This condition is accompanied by thickening of the intestinal mucosa and ulcers (more or less destroying the deep mucosa).
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are similar, so are often confused. Both produce an inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract and can cause serious crises diarrhea with blood or abdominal pain. But Crohn's disease can locate in any part of the digestive tract and can spread in profuzimea tissue. In contrast, ulcerative colitis usually affects only the deeper layers of the large intestine (colon) and the rectum.
There is no cure for Crohn's disease, but its signs and symptoms can be reduced by using therapies that may lead to a long-term remission. The incidence is 3-6 per 100 000, equal for both sexes. Crohn's disease is more common in adolescents, in subjects younger than 60 years. Most cases are diagnosed before the age of 30 years.