Crohn's Disease in Northwest Arkansas
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Find a ProviderWhat is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn's disease is a piece of a larger category of conditions that are collectively called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This disease causes uncomfortable swelling of the digestive system. The condition most often involves the small bowel and colon, but it might impact any portion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract anywhere from the anus to the mouth. Crohn's disease is not the same as the other type of IBD known as ulcerative colitis.
Crohn's disease can affect the whole of the intestinal wall and often spreads into the interior parts of the bowel tissue. This GI condition is often extremely uncomfortable and can sometimes lead to even more grave complications. If you or a loved one suffer from the implications of Crohn’s disease, please request a consultation with GI Alliance of Arkansas. Our board-certified gastroenterologists in Arkansas are committed to helping people better their quality of life using tested treatments.
What causes Crohn's disease?
The precise root of Crohn's disease has yet to be discovered. However, there are a few variables that seem to play a role in the presentation of Crohn's disease and its difficulties.
- Genetics: One could inherit genes from a parent or parents that set you at a greater likelihood of being diagnosed with Crohn's disease. As many as 20% of those with Crohn's disease have a relative who also shares the disease or another inflammatory bowel disease. It is most often found in those somewhere within the ages of 20 and 30.
- Immune system: It is likely that internal bacteria or viruses may be likely to activate Crohn's disease. When your body triggers the immune system to engage a virus or bacteria, an unusual immune system response can attack the cells in the digestive system as well. A result of this can be that parts of the small bowel and the colon become swollen.
What are some common symptoms of Crohn's disease?
The symptoms associated with Crohn's disease often manifest slowly and may fall anywhere from mild to severe. Symptoms of Crohn's disease often involve:
- Constipation
- Pain or drainage around or near the anus
- Diarrhea
- Sores in the mouth
- Fever
- Sudden weight loss
- Poor development in children
- Loss of usual menstrual cycle
- Blood in the stool
- Cramps in the stomach
- Pain in the abdomen
- Rectal bleeding
You should contact GI Alliance of Arkansas right away if you notice persistent changes to your bowel habits or if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Severe and/or persistent and/or severe abdominal pain
- Persistent diarrhea
- Fever extending for more than a day
- Unintentional weight loss
- Blood in your stool
How is Crohn's disease treated?
At this time, there is no known cure for Crohn's disease, and treatment may vary for each patient. The primary aims of Crohn's disease treatments are to manage the swelling that triggers symptoms and then reach and remain in remission. In the best cases, the disease can enter into long-term remission in a person who receives correct care. Crohn's disease can be treated with one or a combination of the below-listed treatment approaches.
Antibiotics: Antibiotics can help destroy bacteria that trigger the inappropriate immune system response that causes inflammation. These are not a mainstay of therapy but may be used in coordination with other therapies.
Anti-inflammatory medications: Steroids or corticosteroids can be administered to handle swelling while implementing a long-term treatment plan. Corticosteroids assist in the reduction of swelling in the body and can also be utilized in combination with immune system suppressors.
Long-term anti-inflammatory therapies: These therapies tackle the body's inappropriate immune reaction to bacteria and viruses. An example of the immunosuppressant drugs a GI Alliance of Arkansas gastroenterologist could prescribe include: azathioprine, infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab, methotrexate, natalizumab, vedolizumab, and ustekinumab.
Nutrition: Your gastroenterologist may recommend a special diet to help with symptoms and help put the disease into remission.
Surgery: Some individuals with Crohn's disease might need surgery to correct blockages, fistulas, infection, or bleeding if medication is not helping. Still others could necessitate surgery to excise the damaged part of the intestine.
Medications that treat the symptoms: Specific supplements and medications could also be recommended to help manage Crohn's disease symptoms. These might include:
- Calcium and vitamin D supplements
- Vitamin B-12 shots
- Iron supplements
- Anti-diarrheals
Medical care is available for Crohn's disease in Arkansas. Contact GI Alliance of Arkansas to find out more about possible options for care.
Can Crohn's disease cause health complications?
An individual with Crohn's disease may be more prone to developing an intestinal blockage. A blockage forms because the bowel wall swells or thickens from inflammation and scar tissue. In addition, ulcers can sometimes cause tunnels that might grow through swollen parts of the intestine to surrounding intestinal tissue or even other organs.
If you have Crohn's disease, you could lack sufficient amounts of protein, vitamins, or calories in your diet. This could be due to the fact that you may be unable to absorb nutrients from your food, you suffer from an uncomfortable stomach preventing you from eating enough sustenance, or you may be suffering a loss of protein through the intestine.
Additional complications caused by Crohn's disease can include:
- Inflammation of the eyes or mouth
- Skin problems
- Arthritis
- Kidney stones
- Gallstones
Is Crohn's disease fatal?
On its own, Crohn's disease is not a life-threatening condition. However, if not addressed properly, someone who has Crohn's disease could eventually progress to health complications that may be deadly. GI Alliance of Arkansas may provide information on multiple clinical trials and care programs to help manage the symptoms and better the lives of anyone dealing with Crohn's disease.
Personalized treatment for Crohn's disease
At GI Alliance of Arkansas, we know what kind of impact Crohn's disease and its symptoms can have on your overall wellness and quality of life. Our board-certified gastroenterologists specialize in treating GI conditions such as Crohn's disease, and our team is dedicated to providing expert, personalized service to every one of our patients. To connect with a doctor in Arkansas who can provide care for Crohn's disease, we urge you to contact one of our local offices today.
Crohn's Disease FAQs
What tests can detect Crohn's disease?
The detection of Crohn's disease is commonly achieved by using one or more tests. Our GI Alliance of Arkansas gastroenterologists may begin the process by learning about your health history, signs or symptoms, and family history of IBD or Crohn's. After conducting an exam, they may prescribe endoscopic tests (like a colonoscopy or an EGD) and lab testing of blood and stool samples. CT scans, MRIs, and other diagnostic imaging might also be utilized to diagnose Crohn’s disease.
Is Crohn’s disease progressive?
Crohn’s disease is a long-lasting, chronic medical condition that can vary among individuals. Though Crohn's symptoms can range from mild to intense, the severity of the condition can also fluctuate. This disease can worsen over the course of time, and flare-ups can develop.
Is Crohn’s disease a curable condition?
Presently, there is no way to cure Crohn’s disease. The condition may sometimes be in remission when it is inactive. Undergoing treatment for Crohn's disease and taking steps to diminish inflammation may help manage the disease and relieve its effects.
Will diet affect Crohn’s disease?
Dietary factors do not appear to be the cause of Crohn’s disease. Though there might be certain food items that initiate Crohn’s flares or certain symptoms, these can differ among individuals. Ask your gastrointestinal specialist about any potential modifications to your diet you might incorporate to help control the effects of Crohn's disease.
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Dr O’Keefe was great, very attentive and listened to all my concerns. I didn't feel rushed he took time to answer all my questions. I would recommend him highly.
Dr. Vinson, nurse and staff have gone above and beyond providing me with excellent care and follow-up. Thank you.
Everything was detailed, and understandable.
All of the staff, nurse practitioner, RN,,phlebotomist at GI Alliance were professional and caring. I am happy with the care from GI Alliance would recommend Them.
I have been seeing Dr Moore for many years and find him very knowledgeable and current with all new procedures and pharmaceuticals regarding the treatment of my crohns. Dr Moore has always been very attentive to my needs and trying to treat the crohns while not interfering with treatment for my other medical issues, and his perseverance helped catch the stage 4 breast cancer and his wondereful nurse got me refered to Highlands Oncology that has allowed me to have treatment needed to extened my life. I was however a bit put of on my last visit regarding my concern with what a new insurance would cover or not when requested to do more blood tests I stated that I had just had a full set of blood test with Highlands Oncology just four days previous and that I have already allowed all test information to be shared with GI Alliance and Dr Moore and felt like I was ignored and actually treated with impatients and that I was just a waste of their time and my concerns were completely disregarded, so I gave in and had more blood drawn. So now if my insurance does not feel that multiple blood test in the same month is necessary I will be stuck with yet another large medical debt. Thus possibly forcing me to forgo future follow up visits.
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