Crohn's Disease in Houston, TX
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Find a ProviderWhat is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn's disease is one of a larger group of diseases classified under the label of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This condition is the cause of uncomfortable inflammation of the digestive tract. The disease normally includes the small intestine and colon, but it could possibly impact any portion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the mouth to the anus. Crohn's disease is not the same as the other type of IBD referred to as ulcerative colitis.
Crohn's disease often affects the whole of the bowel wall and sometimes spreads to even deeper levels of the affected intestinal wall. This gastrointestinal affliction is often very uncomfortable and in many cases can develop into even more grave complications. If you or a loved one are dealing with the daily realities of Crohn’s disease, we urge you to contact Gastroenterology Consultants. Our board-certified GI doctors in Houston, TX are pledged to assisting our patients in improving their quality of life with proven treatment options.
What are some causes of Crohn's disease?
The specific root cause of Crohn's disease remains a mystery at this time. However, there are some variables that appear to play a role in the presentation of Crohn's disease and its many challenges.
- Genetics: An individual could inherit genetic material from a parent or parents that put them at a more pronounced likelihood of suffering from Crohn's disease. As great as 20% of individuals with Crohn's disease have a family member who also has been diagnosed with Crohn's or a different inflammatory bowel disease. It is most common in individuals somewhere within the ages of 20 – 30.
- Immune system: It is thought that internal viruses or bacteria can initiate Crohn's disease. When our body incites the immune system to combat a bacteria or virus, an inappropriate immune response can attack the cells in the digestive system as well. As a result, portions of the small intestine as well as the colon come to be swollen.
What are the common symptoms of Crohn's disease?
The majority of symptoms related to Crohn's disease develop over time, and they can range in severity from mild to extreme. Symptoms of Crohn's disease might be:
- Loss of usual menstrual cycle
- Constipation
- Pain in the abdomen
- Blood in the stool
- Pain or drainage around or near the anus
- Diarrhea
- Below average development in children
- Fever
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Sudden weight loss
- Mouth sores
- Stomach cramps
Please Gastroenterology Consultants promptly if you notice persisting changes in your bowel habits, or you are experiencing any of the below-listed symptoms:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unrelenting diarrhea
- Severe and/or persistent and/or severe pain in the abdomen
- Blood in your stool
- Fever lasting more than a day
How is Crohn's disease typically treated?
There is currently no known cure for Crohn's disease, and your recommended treatment may vary from other patients. The primary objectives of Crohn's disease treatment are to control the swelling that initiates symptoms, and then reach and maintain remission. In the best cases, the disease will go into long-term remission in a patient who receives correct care. Crohn's disease might be treated with any one of or multiple of the following treatment approaches.
Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be able to kill bacteria that trigger the inappropriate immune system response, which is to blame for inflammation. These are not a mainstay of therapy but may be used in collaboration with other therapies.
Anti-inflammatory medications: Corticosteroids or steroids could be used to control swelling during the process of implementing a long-term treatment plan. Corticosteroids assist in the reduction of swelling in the body and can be utilized in combination with immune system suppressors.
Long-term anti-inflammatory therapies: These therapies tackle the body's inappropriate immune reaction to bacteria and viruses. A partial list of the immunosuppressant medications a Gastroenterology Consultants gastroenterologist might prescribe include: infliximab, adalimumab, azathioprine, certolizumab, methotrexate, natalizumab, ustekinumab, and vedolizumab.
Diet: Your gastroenterologist may recommend a special diet to help with symptoms and assist in inducing remission.
Surgery: Some patients with Crohn's disease may require surgery to correct blockages, fistulas, infection, or bleeding if medication is not performing as hoped. Others may need surgery to remove the damaged section of the intestine.
Medications for symptoms: Specific medications and supplements could also be suggested to help manage Crohn's disease symptoms. These may include:
- Vitamin D and calcium supplements
- Vitamin B-12 shots
- Anti-diarrheals
- Iron supplements
Medical care is available for Crohn's disease in Houston, TX. Reach out to Gastroenterology Consultants today to hear more about possible treatment options.
Could Crohn's disease cause health complications?
Crohn's disease is known to cause intestinal blockages in sufferers. A blockage forms when the bowel wall thickens or swells from scar tissue and inflammation. Also, ulcers can be the cause of tunnels that might form through inflamed parts of the bowel to nearby intestinal tissue or, in some cases, other organs.
If you suffer from Crohn's disease, you may lack sufficient stores of calories, protein, or vitamins in the food you consume. This may occur because you may not be able to absorb nutrients from the food you consume, you experience an upset stomach preventing you from consuming enough food, or you could be losing protein through the intestine.
Additional complications caused by Crohn's disease could include:
- Swelling in the eyes or mouth
- Skin problems
- Kidney stones
- Gallstones
- Arthritis
Is Crohn's disease fatal?
By itself, Crohn's disease is not life-threatening. However, if left unmanaged and untreated, given some time, someone who has Crohn's disease can experience further health complications that may be fatal. Gastroenterology Consultants may have access to several clinical trials and treatment programs to help treat the symptoms and improve the lives of all those living with Crohn's disease.
Patient-centered care for Crohn's disease
The specialists at Gastroenterology Consultants understand the effects that Crohn's disease can have on your health and everyday life. Our physician-led network of gastroenterologists specializes in treating GI conditions such as Crohn's disease, and we are pledged to deliver expert, personalized care to every one of our patients. To connect with a doctor in Houston, TX who can help you with Crohn's disease, we encourage you to reach out to our office today.
Crohn's Disease FAQs
How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed?
Confirming a Crohn's disease diagnosis is often accomplished by using one or more tests. Our Gastroenterology Consultants GI specialists may start the process by discussing your health history, the symptoms you are experiencing, and any familial history of Crohn’s or IBD. After performing an exam, they may prescribe endoscopic exams (such as a colonoscopy and an EGD) and lab work involving fecal and blood samples. MRIs, CT scans, and other diagnostic imaging might also be performed in the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease.
Is Crohn’s disease a progressive condition?
Crohn’s disease is a chronic health condition that can vary from person to person. Even though the symptoms of this disease may range from slight to severe, the degree of severity can also vary. This condition can get worse over time, and flare-ups can arise.
Is Crohn’s disease curable?
At this time, there is no known cure for Crohn’s disease. At times, the disorder might be in remission when it is not in an active state. Undergoing treatment for Crohn's disease and taking steps to reduce inflammation might help manage the condition and alleviate its effects.
Does diet have an effect on Crohn’s disease?
Diet does not seem to be a cause of Crohn’s disease. There might be some foods that trigger Crohn’s flare-ups or certain symptoms; however, these can vary from individual to individual. Talk with your GI specialist about any possible changes to your diet you might implement to help decrease the effects of Crohn's disease.
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