Crohn’s disease is basically a condition that causes gastrointestinal tract inflammation (gut). The gut consists of the stomach, oesophagus and small and large intestine.
It most commonly occurs at the lower end of the small intestine, also known as the ileum, it can affect any part of the gut. Roughly one in 1,500 people in the UK suffer from this disease and the condition affects slightly more women than men. It can develop at any age, but usually starts between the ages of 15 and 40.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Crohns disease appears when the wall of the affected part of the gut becomes inflamed. The inflammation can cause one or more of the following symptoms:
• pain – each individual experiences different levels of pain. Where the pain occurs depends on which part of the gut is affected. The condition usually occurs at the lower end of the small intestine (ileum), and so the pain will often be on the lower right side of the abdomen
• ulcers – these are raw areas of the gut wall that may bleed. If ulcers do occur, this may lead to blood in the stools (faeces). Mouth ulcers are also a common symptom.
• diarrhoea - can vary from mild to severe, and may contain mucus, pus or blood. Experiencing a frequent need to go to the toilet, but a lack of anything to pass (tenesmus) is common
• feeling generally unwell - fever and extreme tiredness
• loss of appetite and weight
• anaemia - can occur if you lose a lot of blood
• anal fissures and rectal bleeding - the skin of the anus may become cracked (anal fissures), bleed and be painful
