Complications of Crohn's disease
People with Crohn's disease are at risk of developing a number of complications.
The two most common problems associated with Crohn's disease are discussed in more detail below.
Intestinal stricture
The inflammation of the bowel (intestines) in Crohn's disease can cause scar tissue to form, leading to the affected areas becoming narrowed. This is known as stricture.
If this happens, there is a risk of digestive waste causing an obstruction. This means you will not be able to pass any stools or you will only be able to pass watery stools.
Other symptoms of bowel obstruction include:
abdominal pain and crampingbeing sick (vomiting)bloatingan uncomfortable feeling of fullness in your abdomen
Left untreated, there is a risk that the bowel could split (rupture). This creates a hole that the contents of the bowel can leak from. You should contact your GP as soon as possible if you suspect that your bowel is obstructed.
Intestinal stricture is usually treated with surgery to widen the affected section of intestine. In some cases this may be achieved using a procedure called balloon dilation, which is performed during colonoscopy.
During balloon dilation, a colonoscope is passed up your back passage (rectum) and a balloon is inserted through the colonoscope. This is then inflated to open up the affected area.
If this doesn't work or is unsuitable, a surgical procedure known as a stricturoplasty may be needed to widen the affected area. During this operation, the surgeon widens the narrowed part of the intestine by opening it, reshaping it and sewing it back together.
Fistulas
If your digestive system becomes scarred as a result of excessive inflammation, ulcers can develop.
Over time the ulcers develop into tunnels that run from one part of your digestive system to another or, in some cases, to the bladder, vagina, anus or skin. These passageways are known as fistulas.
Small fistulas do not usually cause symptoms. However, larger fistulas can become infected and cause symptoms such as:
a constant, throbbing paina high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100°F) or aboveblood or pus in your faeces (stools)leakage of stools or mucus into your underwear
If a fistula develops on your skin (usually on or near the anus) it may release a foul-smelling discharge.
Biological medication is usually used to treat fistulas. Surgery is usually required if these are not successful.
Other complications
People with Crohn's disease are also at an increased risk of other complications, such as:
osteoporosis – weakening of the bones caused by the intestines not absorbing nutrients and the use of steroid medication to treat Crohn's diseaseiron deficiency anaemia – a condition that can occur in people with Crohn's disease because of bleeding in the digestive tract; common symptoms include tiredness, shortness of breath and a pale complexionvitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia – a condition caused by a lack of vitamin B12 or folate being absorbed by the body; common symptoms include tiredness and lack of energypyoderma gangrenosum – a rare skin reaction that causes painful skin ulcers
Children with Crohn's disease may also experience problems with their growth and development because their bodies are not absorbing enough nutrients.
Colorectal cancer
Some people who have Crohn's disease have a slightly increased risk of developing colorectal cancer in later life.
You should be offered regular check-ups to look for colon cancer if your healthcare team feels you may be at an increased risk.
This will usually involve a colonoscopy and a biopsy.
Resource : www.nhs uk
