Common Complications of Crohn's Disease

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 11, 2024
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Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that commonly leads to complications such as intestinal obstruction, acute perforation, rectal bleeding, and poor absorption syndrome due to intra-abdominal abscesses. Due to inflammation, there is an increase in intestinal mucosa and narrowing of the intestinal lumen, which makes intestinal obstruction more likely. The decrease in protective barrier function of the intestinal mucosa makes it susceptible to acute perforation, which can also lead to rectal bleeding when perforated. Examinations for Crohn’s disease include colonoscopy, barium enema, CT scans, complete blood count, and intestinal absorption tests. The treatment involves a combination of medication and surgery, as the exact cause of the disease is not very clear, and it tends to have a prolonged course with recurrent flare-ups, making it difficult to cure completely.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Can Crohn's disease patients consume Ganoderma lucidum spore powder?

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory granulomatous disease of the digestive tract of unknown cause, so any segment of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus may be involved. It can present with intestinal ulcers, showing a segmental distribution longitudinally, as well as thickening of the intestinal walls, narrowing of the intestinal lumen, and intestinal perforation. This disease is difficult to cure, and currently, there are no effective medications for treatment, and it tends to recur throughout a person's life. Therefore, Ganoderma lucidum bun powder should be considered a health product. Health products often function as advertised by the merchants, so it is not recommended that patients with this disease consume them indiscriminately, as there may also be potential side effects. Patients with Crohn's disease should be sure to follow a high-nutrient, low-residue diet, abstain from smoking and alcohol, and avoid particularly fried, fatty, rich foods, and foods that are difficult to digest.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Can a CT scan detect Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease generally cannot be diagnosed through a CT scan. Diagnosis of Crohn's disease relies on colonoscopy. If you experience abdominal pain and diarrhea, especially if there is mucous or bloody stool, it is recommended to undergo a colonoscopy to determine whether it is Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Once the disease is confirmed, it is crucial to diagnose and treat it early. The treatment of this disease can be challenging and is highly prone to recurrence. The medical community still finds this disease a difficult problem to address. In addition to Western medicine, it is also advisable to seek treatment from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Diagnosis and treatment strategies based on TCM principles can be formulated, and combining TCM with Western medicine may achieve better results than using Western medicine alone.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Treatment of occasional fever in Crohn's disease

If Crohn's disease presents with fever, it is generally considered possible that it is caused by a bacterial infection. The first step should be to check a stool routine to see if there is a bacterial infection, and symptomatic treatment measures need to be taken. If the body temperature is not particularly high, some antibiotics can be taken to control the progression of the disease. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, an appropriate amount of antipyretics can be used to control the condition and have a fever-reducing effect. During this period, drink more warm water, avoid spicy and stimulating food, as well as raw and cold fruits, to prevent aggravating the condition.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Is Crohn's disease contagious?

Crohn's disease is not contagious and its specific causes are not particularly clear. It is an inflammatory bowel disease and can be treated in the gastroenterology department. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, accompanied by fever and nutritional disorders, among others. It may also be complicated by acute perforation, rectal bleeding, intra-abdominal abscesses, and malabsorption syndrome. The course of the disease tends to be prolonged and recurrent, making it difficult to cure. The clarity and severity of the lesion, the length of the course of the disease, and the rate of recurrence after surgery are related. Because it is not contagious, it cannot be transmitted among the population.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Can people with Crohn's disease drink honey?

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, the exact cause of which is not very clear, and honey is safe to consume. The dietary principle generally involves eating small frequent meals, favoring low-fat, high-calorie foods. You can eat vegetables like carrots, yams, and potatoes, and should avoid raw, cold, spicy, and irritating foods such as onions, chili peppers, bean products, and leeks. The symptoms of Crohn's disease primarily include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and nutritional disorders. Currently, the disease is managed with a combination of medication and surgery to actively prevent complications. However, symptoms can recur frequently, and the disease course can be prolonged. It’s important to maintain reasonable work and rest habits and avoid excessive fatigue. (Please follow the guidance of a professional physician for medication usage.)