FAQ

How Common is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

 It is estimated that as many as one million Americans (one in 300) have Inflammatory bowel disease - IBD. The number is evenly split between Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Crohns Disease may occur in people of all ages but is mainly a disease of adolescents and young adults. Crohns generally affects those between 15 and 35.

In another much smaller group of people, Crohns develops between the ages of 50 and 70, a so-called "second wave."

Crohn's disease can also occur in people who are 70 or older and in young children as well. 10% of those affected (an estimated 100,000) are under the age of 18.

Males and females appear to be affected equally.

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What are the different types of Crohns Disease?



 

  • Ileocolitis: The most common form of Crohns Disease. It affects the ileum and colon. Symptoms include diarrhea and cramping or pain in the right lower part or middle of the abdomen. Ileocolitis is often accompanied by significant weight loss.

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  • Ileitis: This type of Crohns Disese affects the ileum. Symptoms are the same as ileocolitis. Complications may include fistulas or inflammatory abscess in right lower quadrant of abdomen.

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  • Gastroduodenal Crohns Disease: This type of Crohns Disease affects the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, and nausea. Vomiting may indicate that narrowed segments of the bowel are obstructed.

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  • Jejunoileitis: This type of Crohns Disease produces patchy areas of inflammation in the jejunum (upper half of the small intestine. Symptoms include abdominal pain (ranging from mild to intense) and cramps following meals, as well as diarrhea. Fistulas may form.

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  • Crohns (Granulomatous) Colitis: This type of Crohns Disease affects the colon only. Symptoms include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and disease around the anus (abscess, fistulas, ulcers). Skin lesions and joint pains are more common in this form of Crohns Disease than in others.

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    What are the complications of Crohns Disease?

     The most common complication of Crohns is blockage of the intestine. Blockage occurs because the disease tends to thicken the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue, and therefore narrows the passage. Crohns Disease may also cause sores (ulcers) that tunnel through the affected area into surrounding tissues such as the bladder, vagina, or skin.

    The areas around the anus and rectum are often involved. These tunnels, called fistulas, are a common complication of Crohns and often become infected (VSL). Sometimes fistulas can be treated with medicine but in some cases they may require surgery.

    Nutritional complications are common in Crohn's disease. Deficiencies of proteins (Goatein) and vitamins (Vitamin code) are well documented.

    There is also an insufficient calorie intake (SCD recipe book) as a result of inadequate dietary intake, intestinal loss of protein, or poor absorption (malabsorption)

    Nutritional supplements, containing both vitamins and minerals, are advised. Supplementation of calcium (GOL Calcium), folate and vitamin B12 (b12 drops) is helpful when malabsorption of these nutrients is apparent.

    Other problems associated with Crohns Disease

    • arthritis
    • skin problems
    • inflammation in the eyes or mouth
    • kidney stones
    • gallstones, or other diseases of the liver and biliary system.

    Some of these problems resolve during treatment for disease in the digestive system, but some must be treated separately.


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