CROHNus DISEASE
WHAT'S HAPPENING INSIDE THE INTESTINES?
Crohn's disease is a chronic illness
where a person's immune system
attacks the gastrointestinal tract
causing inflammation that can
permanently damage the body
Currently, there is no cure.
INFLAMMATION
When inflammation is present the lining Of the
intestine swells and becornes irritated.
Inflamrnafion prevents the absorption of
water, fat and nutrients It can cause pain
bleeding and diarrhea. Persistent inflammation
causes corrplications and perrnanent damage,
ALTHY INTESTINE
ULCERS AND FISSURES
Ulcers are sores u"at spread throughout
areas of the intestinal tract. They can be on
the surface or they can spread deep into the
intestinal wall
Anal fissures ze tears that develop in he
liring of the arws. usually due b persistent
diarrhea caused by inflarnrnation.
WHA
Ill
STRICTURES
A stricture is a tenporary or permanent nar-
rowing Of the intestine due to swelling or Scar
tissue forrned by he damage of inflarrnation
A narrowed intestine can cause a partial or
ffl bowel obstruction. Depending on the
severity of the obstruction, surgery may be
FISTULAS
A fistula is a tunnel that creates connec-
tions from one part of the intestine to
another, from the intestine to another
organ (like the bladder or vagina), or
even from the intestine to the skin Fluids
and stool can pass through the tumels
and cause cornplications,
175%
3 Of 4 With Crohn's
will need sorne type of surgery
due to cornplications from
intestinal damage.
OES CROHN'S FEEL LIKE?
Pain varies from person to person: Intestinal darnage, disease activity and disease severity
play a role howa person can feel Crohn's is considered an "Invisible disease" because
rmst of the time, you can't tell a person has Crohn's just by boking at them
A DEFINITIVE CAUSE IS STILL UNKNOWN.
It may be environrnental, hereditary and/or genetic, but research shows
there rnay be risk factors such as living in an urban area or srmking.
Average Of diagnosis:
15-35
YEARS OLD
MALES AND FEMALES ARE EQUALLY AFFECTED.
Crohn# is non-dlscrir"natory affecting all races
STOMACH
LARGE INTESTINE
SYMPTOMS:
DIARRHEA
ABDOMINAL PAIN
CRAMPING
BLOODY STOOL
WEIGHT LOSS
FATIGUE
FEVER
SKIN RASH
o e lagnose a oc or orga en r oglS will
perform tests thatmay include: colonoscopy,
endoscopy MRI X-ray, CT scan, and blood work.
THE PRICKLY PEAR
It is in m rush is quite cottentwith scratching
its through the towels making
sure to bährd stirgirÜ sensations as a
parthgeft_
THE FIRE
Flanes can flare or trey cm simmer d a constat, bv burn
RaJadess d the size of the irferno. tie burn zuF•rs readily
ANUS
THE SINKER
LBS
This danse mass "ells ard weighs hea'i\,'
in upths of
THE AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL HAS 25'
OF INTESTINES INSIDE THE BODY.
That's 25' of disease potential for a person with Crohn's—
slightly longer than the average killer whale
THE PIRANHAS
These Vicious fishes are
ever Vigilant and When
aggravated they gnaw
relentlessly at anything
within reach
THE STAMPEDE
Without a rmrnenys notice, he herd launches into a
frenzy. All thought is obliterated and replaced with the
singular, consuröng need for a prolonged visit to the
nearest porcelain lounge,
THE VICE
Chce its teeth are dug in, it refuses
to let up. The fangs stab and
squeeze tighth•/ without rernorse—
sornetiff'es for hours on end.
wwwccfa.org
www_cdcgov
wwwmayodiricorg
wwwncbinlrnnihgov
are
BURRILL BERNARD CROHN
Gastroenterologist
1932
Ication of the
disease. He original* dubbed it Regional Ileitis.
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