The various complications of Crohn’s disease often vary from person to person. Examining individual symptoms can make it difficult to assess the severity of this condition. You need to take a close look at the condition to see how much worse it can get.
The main problem
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease caused by inflammation of part of the digestive tract. It is this inflammation that causes most of the disorder. Excessive swelling and scar tissue from a damaged area can clog the digestive tract. Sometimes these obstacles can even lead to a complete blockage. Thicker intestinal walls mean narrower digestive tract and this causes symptoms like cramping, stretching, and gas. In some cases, vomiting can also occur.
These may appear to be minor complications of Crohn’s disease. Unfortunately, some people’s condition can deteriorate dramatically. If this swelling or obstruction cannot be controlled with medication, the patient should undergo surgery. If a certain area of the digestive tract is damaged too much, it should be completely removed.
Other problems
There are a number of other complications of Crohn’s disease that occur as a side effect of the main swelling or obstruction. One is the formation of sores along the damaged digestive tract. If these sores get too deep and are not treated immediately, they can turn into fistulas. The fistulas themselves are painful to treat and can spread into the bladder or surrounding tissue. These should be treated as soon as possible, otherwise there is a risk of infection.
One of the worst complications of Crohn’s disease is an infected fistula, which can lead to a high fever and severe abdominal cramps. If they are small, they can be treated with medication. However, if the fistulas become too large, they must be treated surgically and removed. Fistulas can also cause a lot of problems on their own, as they are often accompanied by pockets of pus that form like abscesses. These can be drained with a catheter or through a surgical drain.
Complications of Crohn’s disease don’t just affect the digestive tract. Abscesses are also known to form around the rectum. In severe cases, cracks can form along the anal lining, which can lead to excessive bleeding. Malnutrition is another complication that is unfortunately overlooked by a number of people with Crohn’s disease. With each attack, the body loses a large amount of protein, minerals and vitamins. In cases where blood loss also occurs, anemia often occurs. After an attack of Crohn’s disease, the patient should drink as much water as possible. You should also take supplements to replenish the lost nutrients.
Crohns can mentally devastate a person. In addition to being a stressful illness, seizures are often unpredictable. This means that many patients are afraid of their next attack and may experience social anxiety. It is also common to experience episodes of depression during a seizure. While these symptoms can seem overwhelming, getting the right treatment can help treat Crohn’s complications before they get too serious.