crohns

what is crohns?

[Wilson]

It's a chronic inflammatory disease of the small intestine and/or colon. The symptoms are usually lower right quadrant pain with diarrhea that may or may not contain blood, pus, or mucous. There may also be fever, weight loss, and other non-GI symptoms such as joint pains. The diagnosis is usually made by colonoscopy or x-ray series of the small bowel. It's treated with several anti-inflammatory drugs and sometimes surgery.

That's this non-professional's limited and incomplete synopsis.

[MELISA]

I had a same question this night while working at the hospital. I work as nursing assistant, and one of the young patients is dealing with the Chron's disease. I really, didn't know much about it, but it made me reasarch about it more. Which, I will do it.
   All I know, doctors removed his gallblader (gallbladder), appendix, colon and God knows what else. I cannot even remember, everything he said. It made me very sad because he is ex-nurse, and in his mid 40's. What made me very sad and shocked was to see that he has illiostomy bag, and just how much blood he has lost in one day, it's scary!!!...
      This is probably, nothing related to your question 'cause I have no answer:). Also, I am interested in the same question as you are, so I am going to read about it more.
  It is very strange who our bodies work. It's amazing machine.

I only pray and wish everyone the best of health !!!! Enjoy life while we can and if we can.


Take care all!

M

[Wilson]

You can find alot of good basic information on most common disorders in the online version of the Merck Manual. Here's the page on Crohn's:

http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_home/sec9/108.htm