Crohns Disease Flashcards
What is Crohn’s disease
An inflammatory bowel disease, the body attacks itself causing painful ulcers in the gut. Any part of the digestive system can be affected
When are you most likely to be diagnosed with crohns and how many people have it
Diagnosed at any age most commonly before the age of 30
At least 1/323 people in the uk live with crohns
What are 5 symptoms of crohns
-severe pain in the tummy area, location can vary
-diarrhoea
-extreme tiredness
-generally feeling unwell
-loss of appetite and weight loss
What impact would crohns symptoms have on someone
Pain- Sleeplessness, overuse of painkillers, irritable
Diarrhoea- soreness, dehydration, reaching a toilet, restriction on activities, leaking
Fatigue- from lack of nutrients, waking for toilet
Unwell- swelling, pain, fever, inflammation
What is the cause of Crohn’s disease
No single cause. Mixture of genetics, environment, immune system and microorganisms in the digestive system create the condition
What are the 5 different types of Crohn’s disease
-terminal ileal and ileocaecal
-small bowel
-colon
-perianal
-gastroduodenal
What are the typical symptoms of terminal ileal crohns and where is it found
Found at the end of the small intestine.
S- anaemia, weight loss, diarrhoea, pain in lower right side of tummy after eating
What are they typical symptoms of small bowel crohns and hat are other names for it
Ileitis or jejunoileitis
S- pain in abdomen, nutrient deficiencies, diarrhoea, anaemia, weight loss
What are the typical symptoms of colon (crohns colitis)
Diarrhoea (with blood and mucus), frequent need to poo, urgency to reach a toilet, feel the need to open bowels even if the rectum is empty
What are the typical symptoms of perianal crohns
Fissures (Tears or splits of the anal canal causing pain and bleeding when you poo), skin tags, abscesses
What are the typical symptoms of gastroduodenal crohns and where is it found
Found in the oesophagus, stomach or first part of small bowel.
S-indigestion like pain, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss, anaemia
Describe what mild Crohn’s might look like
Need to excrete often, with or without tummy pain, but you can eat normally. There are no signs of dehydration, tenderness in the tummy area or weight loss
Describe what moderate crohns might look like
Need to excrete often, have tummy pain or tenderness in this area with fever and possible weight loss
Describe what severe crohns might look like
Very poor general health and one or more symptoms such as weight loss, fever, severe pan in tummy area and usually 3-4 or more loose faeces a day
What are 3 complications in the gut and explain what they are
Fistula- passage from the lumen of the intestine to another area of the body or organ (even the skin)
Stricture- narrowing of the intestine caused by scar tissue formed from ulcers (could cause blockage)
Perforation of the intestine (creates a hole in the wall which spills contents like bacteria into the body
What are EIMs
Extra intestinal manifestations, 1/2 people develop problems outside the gut most commonly in the joins eyes or skin. Occur most often during a flare up
How would EIMs affect the joints, bones and skin
Joints- pain and swelling
Bones- weaker so increase risk of osteoporosis
Skin- blisters, raised marks, eye soreness, inflammation
Kidney stones, Gall stones, blood clots, anaemia, hair loss (other EMIs)
What medications are there for crohns
Anti-diarrhoeal drugs- prevent accidents
Painkillers- control pain, reduce cramping
Liquid only diet- for 6-8 weeks during flare ups
Steroids- reduce inflammation
Laxatives and bulking agents- make faeces easier to pass
What surgical treatment are available for crohns
-resection (possibly results in stoma bag)
-strictureplasty (widen a narrow part of the gut
Who might be involved with the care of a patient with crohns
IBD nurse specialist, specialist gastroenterology dietitian, surgeon, psychologist and expert pharmacist in IBD
