Crohn's Disease

What is "Crohn's disease"?

Crohn's disease is a process where the immune system becomes overly activated and it causes inflammation anywhere in the intestinal tract. The usual places where this inflammation takes place are either towards the end of the small intestine known as the terminal ileum, or anywhere along the large intestine.

How is Crohn's disease diagnosed?

Crohn's disease is generally diagnosed through different imaging studies that are available. One can perform an endoscopy or a colonoscopy to evaluate the large intestine for the appearance of ulcerations and inflammation that are consistent with Crohn's disease. However, ultimately a biopsy or a pathologic diagnosis is what is essential in order to accurately diagnose Crohn's diseases. Other modalities, such as certain types of blood tests and a general history from the patient will all help put the pieces of the puzzles together and gather clues to formulate the diagnosis of Crohn's disease.

Can Crohn's disease be cured?

Crohn's disease, unfortunately, is a disease process that right now has no cure. We can treat Crohn's disease, but at this point we cannot cure it. In its severe stages, if the disease is unresponsive to medical treatment and management, surgery may need to be performed to remove the affected piece of the bowel.