Butter beans

[parsley]

My brother has Chrohn's disease and I am wondering if I do?  I have diahrrea ocassionally which has "butter bean shaped globules of a yellowish color and a starch consistency" in them.  They only seem to occur when I have diahrrea.  What do you suggest?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

With your brother being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, it puts you at increased risk.  Prolonged diarrhea with abdominal pain, weight loss, and fever, with or without gross bleeding, are the hallmarks of Crohn's disease.

Tests to consider for diagnosis would be an endoscopy - preferably a colonoscopy.  To evaluate for small bowel involvement, a barium study of the small bowel remains the mainstay as well as an upper gastrointestinal series for gastroduodenal disease.

I would suggest discussing these tests with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.