Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract (gut). 

It falls into a group of conditions called inflammatory bowel disease. 

Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus.  The most commonly affected sites in the gastrointestinal tract are the small bowel, large bowel (colon) and anus.  At times, Crohn’s disease may also affect other parts of the body, such as the skin, joints and eyes.  Which parts of the body are affected by Crohn’s disease is different for each patient.

Crohn’s disease is most commonly diagnosed in adolescents and young adults, however it can be diagnosed at any age.

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What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?

Common symptoms include a change in bowel habit (often diarrhoea), blood in the stool, abdominal discomfort, unintentional weight loss, mouth sores or an abscess (infection) around the anus.

There may be a history in the family of inflammatory bowel disease or other autoimmune conditions.

How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed?

The best way to diagnose Crohn’s disease is to find it in the gastrointestinal tract.  This is performed by looking in the gastrointestinal tract with a camera, such as an endoscopy or colonoscopy. 

Sometimes, a specialized test of the stool can be performed which may suggest a possible diagnosis of Crohn’s disease.  An endoscopy or colonoscopy is recommended to confirm this diagnosis, before treatment is started.

Learn about Colonoscopy
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How is Crohn’s disease treated?

The treatment of Crohn’s disease often involves a combination of medication and surgery.  The initial treatment is often with medication, which can help with symptoms and heal the inflammation.  This medication is administered under the care of a gastroenterologist.

In some instances, surgery may be required.  Because Crohn’s disease can affect different parts of the gastrointestinal tract in different people, the type of surgery that may be required needs to be personalized to each patient.  Some examples of surgery in Crohn’s disease include bowel surgery and surgery for anal abscess or fistula.

Dr Zhu has extensive experience in surgery for Crohn’s disease.  Dr Zhu also performs colonoscopy and endoscopy to diagnose Crohn’s disease.

Dr Zhu works closely with gastroenterologists to achieve optimal results for her patients.  Dr Zhu can assess your symptoms and recommend a personalized treatment plan.