Surgery

While Crohn’s disease is often thought of as a disease of the young, about 25% of new cases are diagnosed in individuals over age 60. Diagnosis of late-onset Crohn’s disease is often difficult, since some of the typical symptoms are similar to those of other diseases commonly found in older people. These include eschemic colitis,

Every day, scientists are gaining a better understanding of Crohn’s disease: its genetic aspects, how the immune system comes to malfunction, and the mechanisms of the relationship between infection and chronic inflammatory disease. New medical compounds are being tested in clinical trials and promise to provide greater relief with fewer side effects. Surgical techniques continue

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Crohn’s Disease. Q: Is Crohn’s disease an autoimmune disease? A: A malfunction in the immune system is certainly a part of Crohn’s disease. This may be an inability to “turn off” the immune system after it “turns on” for an appropriate reason. Or, the immune system may “turn

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is a chronic, inflammatory condition that can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. The majority of cases of Crohn’s disease involve the terminal ileum, the place in the body where the small

Here are definitions of medical terms related to Crohn’s disease. Abscess: A pocket of infection on the bowel wall or outside the bowel wall near a portion of diseased bowel tissue. Abscesses cause high fever and pain. Barium enema: A procedure in which a special dye called barium is pumped into the colon through a tube inserted

Researchers have not yet identified the cause of Crohn’s disease, so it is described as an “idiopathic” disease. It is known that inflammation is part of the body’s immune response, and an immune response is usually triggered by something. But to date no specific “trigger” has been found to cause the inflammatory response seen in

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America  Phone: (212) 685-3440 or  Phone: (800) 932-2423 http://www.ccfa.org The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is the preeminent organization involved in patient education, advocacy, and research intoinflammatory bowel disease. CFA has chapters in most states;

To accurately diagnose Crohn’s disease, a patient will likely undergo a number of laboratory tests and one or more imaging procedures that allow a doctor to visually evaluate the intestine. Laboratory tests include blood tests and stool cultures. They are used to evaluate the inflammatory process and to provide clues about the cause. There are