Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. The disease usually affects people between the ages of 15 to 35, but it can start at any age. Risk factors include smoking, Jewish ancestry and a family history of Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease can affect the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, and is categorized by what parts it impacts. According to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, there are five types of Crohn's disease with varying symptoms.
Ileocolic Crohn's Disease
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that ileocolitis is the most common form of Crohn's disease, accounting for half of the cases. It impacts the area where the small intestine connects to the large intestine. Symptoms include pain in the middle or right lower part of the abdomen, accompanied by diarrhea and cramping. Because Crohn's disease affects the body's ability to absorb nutrients, it can lead to weight loss.
Crohn's Ileitis
Unlike ileocolic Crohn's disease, ileitis only affects the ileum, which is the final and longest section of the small intestine. Crohn's Ileitis is the second-most prevalent form of the disease, and its symptoms are similar to those of ileocolitis Crohn's. According to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, complications of ileitis include inflammatory abscesses in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen or fistulas. Fistulas are abnormal openings between two organs, or an internal organ and the body surface. In the case of Crohn's disease, the openings are between the intestine and other internal organs or the skin, allowing intestinal contents to escape.
Crohn's Colitis
Crohn's colitis impacts the large intestine and is the third most-common form of the disease. Crohn's colitis is also called granulomatous colitis. Symptoms include fistulas, abscesses and ulcers around the anus, diarrhea and rectal bleeding. According to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, skin lesions and joint pain are more common with Crohn's colitis than with other forms of Crohn's disease.
Gastroduodenal Crohn's Disease
Gastroduodenal Crohn's disease is a less common form of Crohn's that affects the first part of the small intestine, or the duodenum, and the stomach. Loss of appetite, nausea and weight loss are symptoms of gastroduodenal Crohn's disease. Complications include narrowing and obstruction of the bowel, which can cause vomiting.
5. Jejunoiletis
Jejunoiletis causes inflammation in patches along the upper half of the small intestine, also called the jejunum. Symptoms include mild to intense pain in the abdomen, cramps following meals and diarrhea. Jejunoiletis is another uncommon form of Crohn's disease.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America: About Crohn's Disease
- "Encyclopedia of Medicine"; The American Medical Association; 1989
- University of Michigan Health System: Crohn's Disease
- American Gastroenterological Association: Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Crohn's Disease
