Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease can be a life-long challenge. If you’ve been diagnosed, it can feel overwhelming. However, managing your symptoms with the help of a colorectal expert is important.

What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) where the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is chronically inflamed. It can affect any part of the GI tract but commonly occurs in the small or large intestine. With Crohn’s disease, the inflammation can occur throughout the whole wall of the colon. It may not affect the whole colon, but instead leaves patches of healthy tissue along the way. There are many different types of Crohn’s disease that are classified based on the area it affects. Your colorectal expert will help you determine which area is being affected since this can determine your best course of treatment.

What are the Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease?

There are many different symptoms of Crohn’s disease, and many of them aren’t always tied to your bowel function. You may experience flare-ups periodically rather than experiencing symptoms continually. GI symptoms of Crohn’s disease can include:

  • Bleeding
  • Urgent bowel movements
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Cramping and pain
  • Constipation and bowel obstruction
  • A feeling of incomplete bowel movements

Crohn’s disease can also impact your overall health. You may also notice symptoms like:

  • Low appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue

What Causes Crohn’s Disease?

We don’t quite understand what causes Crohn’s disease. However, its incidence is rising and impacts men and women equally. It is believed that the immune response may play a role in Crohn’s disease and other types of IBD. Certain risk factors include family history, and you may have an increased risk of developing it if you have a close family member who also has it. Finally, Crohn’s disease is more common in certain locations like developed countries, urban cities, and northern climates.

What Are My Treatment Options for Crohn’s Disease?

It’s important to know that there is no cure for Crohn’s disease – rather you can effectively manage your symptoms and adjust to living with it. Your colorectal expert can prescribe medications to help manage inflammation and achieve relief, so you decrease the frequency of flare-ups. Surgery may become necessary to resect (or remove) the inflamed portion of the colon.

Crohn’s Disease Outlook and Steps to Take

Crohn’s disease can require life-long care from your colorectal expert in order to reduce symptoms and help you enjoy the things you love. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms but haven’t been diagnosed, it’s important to meet with a colorectal expert promptly in order to look at your best treatment options.

Schedule an Appointment

At ACE Clinic, our team is here to help you through every step of your journey. To learn more and meet with our colorectal experts, we invite you to contact our office by calling or filling out our online contact form.

Meet the Doctors

Drs. Hekmat Hakiman and Arpit Patel are leading colorectal surgeons in the greater Phoenix area. As part of our experienced team at ACE Clinic, they can provide exceptional care with a compassionate and friendly approach to colorectal health. Drs. Hakiman and Patel are dual board-certified in general surgery and colorectal surgery, and both completed their fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX before founding their physician-owned practice in Chandler, AZ. We hope you’ll feel exceptionally welcome during your time at Arizona Colorectal Experts and look forward to helping meet your health care needs.

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Please do not hesitate to call us at 602-844-5157 or fill out our online form if you have a question, or would like to schedule an appointment.