Crohn’s disease is a unique condition in that everyone who has it experiences it differently. We don’t know what causes Crohn’s and there’s no known cure, so if you’ve been diagnosed you’ll need to learn to manage the disease to achieve an optimal quality of life. In this article, we’ll look at the signs of Crohn’s, known risk factors, the process of getting diagnosed, treatment options, and lifestyle choices that can help you live a full, enjoyable life.
What Is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by chronic inflammation within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Inflammation is one of the body’s ways of dealing with potential bacterial threats. In a healthy GI tract, the immune system combats pathogens using inflammation, then switches it off when the threat is neutralized. In Crohn’s disease, the system neglects to flip the switch on its inflammatory response when the job is done, resulting in chronic inflammation.
Signs and Symptoms of Crohn's
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease (and other inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis) result from the inflammation stimulated by the disease. Each person who has Crohn’s will have a unique set of symptoms, as symptoms vary depending on the severity of the inflammation and its location within the gastrointestinal tract.
Many people who are living with Crohn’s will experience a mixture of whole body and gastrointestinal symptoms, including:
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- blood in the stool
- fatigue
- weight loss
And in some cases:
- loss of appetite
- vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- mouth ulcers
- fever
- rectal bleeding
- joint pain
- eye irritation
- skin complications
- night sweats
Causes and Triggers of Crohn’s
We don’t know what causes Crohn’s, but research shows that it’s multifactorial, with a genetic component, dysregulation of immune responses, and environmental influences. (We’ll dive deeper in the “risk factors” section.)
Crohn’s Flares
Crohn’s is a chronic disease with distinct periods of flares and remission.
During the remission phase, you may feel fine – you’ll likely be energetic, your bathroom habits will be typical, and you won’t experience discomfort as you do during a flare. In addition, a visit to the doctor’s office during remission may reveal normal levels of inflammation within your body.
The flare phase looks quite different. Symptoms may come on gradually or all of a sudden, and you’re likely to notice abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and diarrhea or bloody stool, among other symptoms.
Crohn’s Flare Triggers
- medication – too much, not enough, or the wrong ones. Missing a dose of a medication prescribed for your Crohn’s, for example, can trigger a flare. Antibiotics (which are also used to treat Crohn’s in some cases) or NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) can be triggers.
- stress – emotional or physical. Pushing yourself too hard for too long, dealing with everyday stress or exceptional, rarely encountered stressors can all trigger a flare. Emotional stressors can include workplace issues, family tensions, conflict with friends, and other situations that leave you feeling unhappy or drained emotionally. Sources of physical stress that result in immune distress include infections, long-term toxin exposure, malnutrition, injury, lack of sleep, and more.
- foods and beverages. Certain foods, such as greasy french fries, spicy curry, or carbonated soda, can be flare triggers.
Crohn’s Flare Treatments
If you’re experiencing a flare, your health care provider may recommend corticosteroids to treat your acute (in-the-moment) symptoms. Corticosteroids should help tame your flare, but they aren’t suitable for long-term use. Once your flare is under control, it’s good to discuss your symptoms, medications, and holistic therapies with your health care provider. Your body and your Crohn’s disease can change constantly, and a drug or therapy that may have worked in the past may not be the best option now.
Crohn’s Risk Factors
Crohn’s disease runs in families, and up to half of those with Crohn’s have a mutation of a gene that encodes the NOD2 protein, which is responsible for sampling bacteria and telling the immune system what to do about them (friend or foe?).
Researchers suspect that the abnormal immune response that leads to excessive intestinal inflammation in people with Crohn’s may be linked to the genetic mutations that affect bacteria handling.
Your body’s genes, including those involved in immune response, respond to environmental factors. While your environment and lifestyle choices don’t determine which genes are present in your body, they can influence how effectively your genes carry out their functions within the body.
Environmental factors that affect gene function (and may increase your risk of developing Crohn’s) include smoking, antibiotic use, and exposure to other acute or chronic emotional or physical stressors (including conflict, discontentment, toxin exposure, and malnutrition).
Remember, all these components are just risk factors. None of them cause Crohn’s and more research is needed to determine what does.
How Is Crohn’s Disease Diagnosed?
Some tests for Crohn’s disease can be conducted in your primary care provider’s office. Other tests are more likely to be conducted at a hospital or a specialist’s clinic because they require specialized equipment.
Blood Tests for Crohn’s
It’s worth noting that a blood test alone can’t definitively diagnose Crohn’s. It can, however, be a first clue in the journey toward diagnosis. Blood tests are also helpful in disease evaluation and monitoring.
Doctors use many different blood tests to assess people with Crohn’s (and people they suspect may have the condition). In all types of blood analysis, they’re looking for signs of inflammation as well as signs of complications linked to Crohn’s, such as anemia and nutritional deficiencies. In cases where they suspect a genetic predisposition, a doctor may use a blood test to check for variations in the NOD2 protein. (Source)
Stool Tests for Crohn’s
Your doctor may ask for a stool sample to check for blood, abnormal bacteria and parasites, and signs of inflammation. Stool tests, like blood tests, can’t be used alone to diagnose Crohn’s. Much of the value in a stool test for Crohn’s lies in its ability to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms. For example, certain bacteria and parasites can show that a person’s digestive issues are caused by something other than Crohn’s.
Endoscopy and Colonoscopy for Crohn’s
There are several types of endoscopy that doctors routinely use to diagnose and assess Crohn’s disease.
Traditional Endoscopy
In a traditional endoscopy, the doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light on the end to visually assess the digestive tract. In an upper endoscopy, the doctor examines the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine by inserting the tube into the digestive tract through the mouth. In a lower endoscopy, also called a colonoscopy, the doctor checks the lining of the colon (or large intestine) and the lower part of the small intestine by inserting the tube through the anus.
An endoscopy sounds unpleasant, but plenty of people have them, and endoscopy equipment is specially designed to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. Patients may be instructed to fast or take laxatives before the procedure, and they may be offered a sedative. In all cases, the health care professional performing the test will use some sort of anesthetic, either local (where you’re awake but the area is numb) or general (where you’re asleep), to make sure it doesn’t hurt.
Capsule Endoscopy
A capsule endoscopy may be used to assess a section of the gastrointestinal tract that’s difficult to reach with a traditional endoscope, or if the results from a previous endoscopy were inconclusive.
In a capsule endoscopy, the patient swallows a small, clear capsule with a camera inside. The camera records everything it encounters from the time it’s swallowed until it exits the body through a bowel movement. You will be asked to fast before the procedure, and you may need to take a laxative to ensure the camera can capture clear images all the way through the digestive tract.
Other Imaging Tests for Crohn’s
X-Rays
A traditional X-ray of the abdominal area can show changes in the intestine, including widening, narrowing, and perforation — all signs of the inflammation and scarring that may result from Crohn’s. If you already have a Crohn’s diagnosis, an X-ray can help check for complications.
A CT scan is a type of three-dimensional X-ray that provides more information than a traditional X-ray. With CT enterography, a swallowed contrast material is used to better view the intestines and help narrow down the location and assess the severity of the disease. It can also help rule out other conditions in patients seeking a diagnosis.
White Blood Cell Scan
In a white blood cell scan a patient’s blood sample is sent to a lab, where the white blood cells are tagged with a special compound that’s detectable through imaging. The tagged white blood cells are then re-injected into the patient, and imaging is used to track the cells as they redistribute within the body. White blood cells are attracted to inflammation, so an abnormally dense collection of cells in one place can indicate where, and how much, inflammation Crohn’s is causing in the GI tract. (Source)
MRI
While endoscopy and CT enterography are considered the standards for diagnosing Crohn’s, an MRI is another option, with results comparable to CT enterography. (Source)
Prognosis of Crohn’s
If you are diagnosed with Crohn’s disease you will have the condition for life. Living with Crohn’s may seem daunting, especially if you’ve just been diagnosed, but with the right treatments, therapies, and lifestyle choices, most people with Crohn’s are able to live complete and fulfilling lives.
Research shows that people with Crohn’s have a life expectancy comparable to those without the disease, but also that those with well-managed symptoms enjoy significantly better mental health and quality of life than those whose symptoms are poorly managed. (Source, Source)
Potential Complications of Crohn’s
Potential complications of Crohn’s disease include:
- intestinal obstructions, where some areas of the intestines become so thick that they narrow the passageway and restrict the movement of food or stool
- abscesses, where inflammation passes through the intestinal wall and causes a pocket of infection to form
- ulcers, where inflammation weakens any section of the gastrointestinal tract (from the mouth to the anus) and triggers open sores
- fistulas, where inflammation tunnels through the intestinal walls, creating passages that shouldn’t be there
- anal fissures, which are spots of irritation that can be itchy or painful and may bleed
- inflammation somewhere outside the gastrointestinal tract, such as in the eyes, skin, or any of the joints
- malnutrition that’s caused by the body’s inability to digest food and absorb nutrients optimally
And rarely, in exceptionally severe cases:
- rupture of the bowel or intestinal perforation, where inflammation progressively weakens the intestinal wall until a hole develops
- colon cancer, which is linked to a flaw in cells that results from the constant replenishing of cells that are damaged by inflammation
- toxic megacolon, where the colon widens quickly, leading to painful abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and possible sepsis
Treatment of Crohn’s
Crohn’s disease is a lifelong condition with no known cure. Treatments for Crohn’s aim to improve symptoms, reduce the frequency of flares, and minimize the risk of complications by controlling inflammation.
Pharmacological Therapies for Crohn’s
A doctor may prescribe one or more short- or long-term medications to help with Crohn’s flares. Commonly prescribed medications include:
- aminosalicylates: compounds that reduce inflammation of the intestinal walls
- antibiotics: medications that change the balance of bacteria in the intestines, which may help with some common symptoms of Crohn’s. Antibiotics are often part of the treatment plan for Crohn’s complications, such as abscesses and fistulas, as well.
- biologics: compounds specially designed to target (and block) components of the immune system that can trigger Crohn’s flares
- corticosteroids: anti-inflammatory medications that are often effective for managing flares but are not a suitable treatment option long term
- immunomodulators: usually recommended as a treatment option for people who benefit from the use of steroids in the short term. These medications can be used long-term to adjust the body’s immune responses and minimize ongoing inflammation.
(Source)
Bowel Rest for Crohn’s
If you’re struggling with a severe flare, your health care provider may recommend resting your bowel for a few days to a few weeks to give your intestines time to heal.
A bowel rest isn’t something you should try on your own, without supervision from a health care provider or team, as it’s difficult to predict how your body will react.
The process for a bowel rest varies, but usually you’ll drink a nutrient-packed liquid exclusively for the entire period. Liquid nutrition may also be taken directly through a feeding tube inserted through the abdomen, or intravenously through a vein in the arm.
(Source)
Crohn’s Disease Diet
Crohn’s flare triggers aren’t the same for everyone. Finding out which foods work for you — and which ones work against you — will require quite a bit of effort. To facilitate the process, we recommend keeping a food diary detailing what you eat and how it makes you feel. In addition, it’s a good idea to work with a professional experienced in autoimmune disorders who can help guide you along the way.
Malnutrition is a concern for people with Crohn’s. What you eat during a remission phase, when you have few or no symptoms, will likely be different from the foods you eat during a flare.
Autoimmune Protocol Diet for Crohn’s (AIP Diet)
The AIP diet is a three-phase program that aims to identify and remove foods causing an immune response.
In the first phase, foods, additives, and medications that may negatively affect people with Crohn’s (and other autoimmune conditions) are eliminated. Eliminated foods include grains, nightshades, dairy products, refined sugars, and more.
In the second or reintroduction phase, foods are gradually and systematically added back into the diet, and symptoms are monitored to identify triggers.
The third phase focuses on maintaining the improvements achieved through the other two phases by avoiding trigger foods.
Research shows that the AIP diet may benefit patients with autoimmune conditions in general and Crohn’s in particular. For example, people with Crohn’s who adhere to the AIP diet may achieve reduced levels of inflammation and experience fewer or milder Crohn’s-related symptoms.
(Source)
General Diet Guidance
- Opt for non-carbonated beverages.
- Limit high-fiber foods.
- Stay hydrated.
- Eat less, more often: eat smaller snacks and meals more often throughout the day, instead of sticking to the typical three-meals-per-day routine.
- Choose quality, high-calorie, high-protein foods to reduce the risk of malnutrition.
- Limit high-fat and spicy foods.
- Avoid heavily processed foods.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol.
Foods That Many People With Crohn’s Tolerate Well
- organ meats, which are rich in B vitamins (a common deficiency in people with Crohn’s)
- fermented foods (such as apple cider vinegar) that improve microbiome health and support healthy digestion
- bone broth, which can aid in gut healing
- lower-fiber fruits, such as bananas and melons, eaten in moderation
- cooked vegetables, which are easier to digest than raw (opt for boiling or steaming, not roasting or frying in oil)
- lean meats, such as skinless chicken and turkey
- fish, grilled or baked with little or no oil
Surgery for Crohn’s Disease
There are a few reasons a health care provider may recommend surgery for Crohn’s disease, such as persistent or life-threatening complications, inability to take medications, or lack of improvement with medications and lifestyle changes. Surgical options include:
- small bowel resection, where the surgeon removes part of the small intestine. Small bowel resection is usually performed when there’s a bowel obstruction or when inflammation-related damage is particularly severe in a specific area.
- large bowel resection, or subtotal colectomy, where the surgeon removes part of the large intestine. Like a small bowel resection, a large bowel resection is typically recommended when there’s a bowel obstruction or severe damage in a specific area.
- proctocolectomy, where the surgeon removes the entire colon and rectum. After a proctocolectomy the patient will have an ileostomy, which is a removable stool collection pouch, typically on the lower abdomen.
(Source)
Holistic Approach to Crohn’s Treatment
The best approach to dealing with a complex disease such as Crohn’s is one that uses every tool available. Natural remedies that focus on combating dysbiosis, providing digestive support, restoring nutrients that are lacking due to poor absorption and the avoidance of certain foods, and minimizing stress may be effective in disease management.
The foods you eat can drastically affect your wellness, regardless of whether or not you have an autoimmune condition. Changing your diet and making better choices can have both short- and long-term positive effects. Foods that provide digestive support and improve GI tract health include:
- probiotics (especially Saccharomyces boulardii) and prebiotics that can help boost “good” bacteria and improve balance within the body
- protein-rich foods, as protein is essential for tissue regeneration
- foods with glycine, a necessary component in the formation of glutathione, which protects the body from oxidative stress and has been shown to fight inflammation
Vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, including vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and glutamine, are crucial and may need to be supplemented. Always check with your health care provider first, though.
Stress-management techniques may include mindfulness and meditation, regular exercise, and support groups. (Source, Source, Source)
When Should I Seek Medical Care for Crohn’s?
If you suspect you might have Crohn’s but haven’t been diagnosed, we recommend seeing your primary care provider as soon as you suspect something is “off” with your body.
If you have been diagnosed with Crohn’s but don’t see your health care provider regularly, consider checking in when:
- You’re struggling to manage your symptoms with your current regimen adequately.
- You notice new or worsening symptoms.
- You’re trying to get pregnant.
- You’re considering changing your diet or adding, removing, or adjusting the amounts of medications, vitamins, or supplements you use.
- It’s been a year or more since your last visit.
Where Can I Find the Best Resources About Crohn’s?
Aside from WellTheory’s Ultimate Guide to Crohn’s Disease, we recommend:
The Bottom Line on Crohn’s Disease
A Crohn’s disease diagnosis can shake up your life, but with time you’ll learn to manage your Crohn’s symptoms and find your new normal. If you’re just getting started on your Crohn’s journey, or if you’re struggling, we recommend keeping a food diary to track your body’s reactions to different types of foods, enlisting help from professional nutritional therapists, and connecting with a community of people who can relate to your life as a person with a chronic disease.
