Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal or stomach pain, severe diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.
Inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people. This inflammation often spreads into the deeper layers of the bowel.
Crohn’s disease can be painful and sometimes lead to life-threatening complications.
While there’s no known cure for Crohn’s disease, therapies can greatly reduce its signs and symptoms and even bring about long-term healing of the inflammation. With treatment, many people with Crohn’s disease are able to function well.
Symptoms
When the disease is active, signs and symptoms may include:
- Diarrhoea
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Blood in your stool
- Mouth sores
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Pain or drainage near or around the anus because of inflammation from a tunnel into the skin
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have persistent changes in your bowel habits or if you have any of the signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease, such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in your stool
- Nausea and vomiting
- Ongoing bouts of diarrhoea that don’t respond to over-the-counter (OTC) medications
- Unexplained fever lasting more than a day or two
- Unexplained weight loss
SAMWUMED Benefits – Crohn’s Disease
The Scheme covers members for Crohn’s Disease under Chronic Diseases. For further information click here: https://samwumed.org/understand-your-benefits/
Source: https://www.mayo
