Crohn's Disease

What is Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease is a long-term condition that causes parts of your gut (digestive system) to become swollen and sore. This swelling is called inflammation. The condition cannot be cured right now, but there are treatments that can help control the symptoms and help you feel better.

What are the symptoms?

Crohn's disease can affect different parts of your digestive system - from your mouth all the way to your bottom. The most common symptoms include:

• Loose, watery poo (diarrhoea) that may happen several times a day
• Blood or slime in your poo
• Stomach pain and cramping
• Pain around your bottom
• Feeling very tired all the time
• Not feeling hungry and losing weight
• In children, growing more slowly than expected

The symptoms don't stay the same all the time. You might have periods when you feel quite well (called remission), followed by times when symptoms get worse (called flare-ups). A flare-up can last anywhere from a few days to several months.

Some people also get symptoms in other parts of their body, like painful joints, sore eyes, or skin rashes.

When should you see your GP?

Speak to your GP if:

• You think you might have Crohn's disease
• You already have Crohn's disease and your symptoms are getting worse
• Your current treatments aren't helping

Get urgent help from your GP or call NHS 111 if:

• Your poo is black or dark red
• You have bloody diarrhoea

These could be signs of serious bleeding and need quick medical attention.

How is it diagnosed?

There's no single test that can diagnose Crohn's disease. Your GP might start with blood tests and ask you to provide a sample of your poo for testing.

If they think you might have Crohn's disease, you'll be referred to a hospital specialist who deals with gut problems. At the hospital, you might have:

• Tests where a thin tube with a tiny camera is passed into your gut to look inside
• A small tissue sample taken from your gut (called a biopsy)
• Scans like an MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound

Getting a diagnosis can take time because the symptoms are similar to other gut conditions.

Treatment options

While there's no cure, treatments can help keep you symptom-free for long periods. Your treatment might include:

• Medicines to reduce inflammation in your gut
• Medicines that calm down your immune system
• Special liquid diets (particularly for children)
• In some cases, surgery to remove damaged parts of the gut

Living with Crohn's disease

Having a healthy, balanced diet is important because Crohn's disease can make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients from food. Your healthcare team can give you advice about eating well.

Some things that might help:

• Keep a diary of your symptoms and what you eat
• Get recommended vaccinations (but check with your doctor first)
• Don't smoke, as this can make symptoms worse
• Avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen unless your doctor recommends them

Support

Crohn's disease can be challenging to live with. Support is available from charities like Crohn's and Colitis UK, and you might find it helpful to connect with others who have the condition.

Remember, if you're concerned about any symptoms, speak to your GP. They can help you get the right tests and treatment.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.