Who is crohns disease named after

In ulcerative colitis this does not occur. A feeling of low energy and fatigue is also common. Inflammation may also cause a fistula to develop.

A fistula is a tunnel that leads from one loop of intestine to another, or that connects the intestine to the bladder, vagina, or skin. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

The GI tract normally contains harmless bacteria, many of which aid in digestion. The immune system usually attacks and kills foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms.

Under normal circumstances, the harmless bacteria in the intestines are protected from such an attack. In people with IBD, these bacteria are mistaken for harmful invaders and the immune system mounts a response. Cells travel out of the blood to the intestines and produce inflammation a normal immune system response. However, the inflammation does not subside, leading to chronic inflammation, ulceration, thickening of the intestinal wall, and eventually causing patient symptoms.

The risk is also substantially higher when both parents have IBD. The disease is most common among people of eastern European backgrounds, including Jews of European descent. In recent years, an increasing number of cases have been reported among African American populations. The environment in which you live also appears to play a role. Simoni or any gastroenterologist needs to evaluate a combination of information and begin to exclude other potential causes of your symptoms.

This process can take some time. Should you or a loved one experience symptoms, be sure to consult with Dr. Simoni as soon as possible. First, Dr. Simoni will conduct a standard physical exam of your body and interview you to learn more about your general health, diet, family history, and environment.

Bring a record of your symptoms. Unpredictable flare-ups and regular check-ups with your care team can disrupt school, work and your social life.

But if symptoms are well controlled, you can live a normal life with the condition. Support is available from your care team and organisations like Crohn's and Colitis UK if you need it. There's no evidence to suggest a particular diet causes Crohn's disease. Page last reviewed: 22 April Next review due: 22 April Video: Crohn's disease In this video, an expert discusses the symptoms and treatment options for Crohn's disease.

Thus, some symptoms are common to both diseases. Beside the general manifestations of disease, such as fatigue, tiredness, loss of appetite and sometimes fever, the specific symptoms are related directly to the bowel.

Many patients experience nausea and may vomit. The inflammation may also result in loss of blood through the bowel. Whenever there is loss of blood, iron is also lost: in this case, the bone marrow lacks the iron necessary to form new blood cells. This is known as iron-deficiency anemia. Some patients experience inflammation arthritis in the larger and smaller joints of the arms and legs, as well as in the joints of the spine and pelvis.

As in other types of arthritis, this joint inflammation results in swelling, pain and restrictions in motion. The skin in patients with IBD may also react in the form of painful purplish-red areas of thickening, most commonly occurring on the arms and legs erythema nodosum. Somewhat less frequent is inflammation affecting the eyes, particularly the iris and conjunctiva.

In very rare cases, the bile ducts can undergo inflammation with extensive scar tissue formation resulting in jaundice and digestive disturbances. Other rare complications include inflammation of the pericardium the sac surrounding the heart and pancreas, as well as venous thromboses blood clots. The severity of the diarrhea depends on the inflammatory activity and the extent of the inflammation. Diarrhea may be very severe in cases in which the entire colon is affected.

If, however, only the final portions of the colon the sigmoid or rectum are affected, as in ulcerative proctitis, the stool may be more solid but traces of blood can be detected.