CROHN’S DISEASE

HOW IS CROHN’S DISEASE DIAGNOSED?

(test and diagnosis)
Laboratory Blood Test
 Laboratory blood tests may show elevated white cell
counts and sedimentation rates.
 Other blood tests may show low red blood cell
counts, low blood proteins, and low body minerals
Barium X-rays

 Barium x-ray studies can be used to define the

distribution, nature, and severity of the disease.
 Barium x-rays can show ulcerations, narrowing, and,
sometimes, fistulae of the bowel.
Colonoscopy

 Direct visualization of the rectum and the large

intestine, accomplished with a flexible viewing tubes
(colonoscopes).
CT scan

 Computerized axial tomography

(CAT or CT) scanning
is a computerized x-ray
technique that allows
imaging of the entire
abdomen and pelvis.
Endoscopy

 Video capsule
endoscopy, a capsule
containing a miniature
video camera is
swallowed. The value of
video capsule
endoscopy is that it can
identify the early, mild
abnormalities of Crohn's
disease.
Biopsy

 The doctor takes a sample of tissue and tests it to

find out if there is Crohn’s or another disease, such
as cancer.
Stool analysis

 This is a test to look for blood and signs of infection in

a sample of the stool.
CROHN’S DISEASE

HOW IS CROHN’S DISEASE TREATED?

Treatment
 The treatment will depend on the type of symptoms
and severity of the disease.
 Medicines usually are the treatment of choice for
Crohn's disease. They can control or prevent
inflammation in the intestines and help:
• Relieve symptoms.
• Promote healing of damaged tissues.
• Put the disease into remission and keep it from
flaring up again.
• Postpone the need for surgery.
 Medications for treating Crohn's disease includes:
2) Antiinflammatory agents such as Sulfasalizine
(Azulfidine), Mesalamine (Asacol, Rowasa),
Corticosteroids
3) Immuno-modulators such as Azathioprine (Imuran)
and mercaptopurine (Purinethol),
Infliximab (Remicade), Adalimumab (Humira),
Certolizumab pegol (Cimzin), Methotrexate
(Rheumatrex), Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune),
Natalizumab (Tysabril)
4) Antiobiotics such as Metronidazole (Flagyl),
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Cont…
4) Other Medications

 Anti-diarrheals
 Laxatives
 Pain relievers
 Iron supplements
 Vitamin B12 shots
 Calcium and Vitamin D supplements
CROHN’S DISEASE

SURGERY
 Surgery may be needed if there is:
• Bowel blockage (obstruction).
• Abscesses or tears (fissures) in the anal area or
when abnormal connections (fistulas) form between
two parts of the intestine or between the intestine and
other internal organs.
• Holes (perforations) in the large intestine.
• Cancer or precancerous tissue.
• Severe disease that does not respond to other
treatment.
• Severe bleeding that requires ongoing blood
transfusions.
Surgery choices:
 Resection
 Proctocolectomy and ileostomy
 Strictureplasty
CROHN’S DISEASE

LIFESTYLE CHANGES
 Dietary changes
 Low fiber diet
 Low fat diet
 High calorie diet
 High protein diet
 Bland diet
 Liquid diet and TPN (total peripheral nutrition)*
 Drink plenty of liquids
 Small meals

 Smoking cessation and exercising regularly

fin
TNF antagonists

 Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, may be

used for people who develop abnormal connections
between the intestines and other organs (fistulas) or
who have severe Crohn's disease that does not
respond to other medicines. These medicines can be
used to keep symptoms from coming back.