Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition that could benefit from an early diagnosis. However, that’s often a difficult ask, says Dr Patta Radhakrishna.

Staff writer  |  GDCS

20 July, 2022

                                                                                                                               

Sometimes parts of people’s digestive tract develop blockages, leading to a condition called Crohn’s disease. When it happens, essential nutrients — the fuel needed by various body organs — fail to reach their destination.

People suffering from it may experience mild to severe pain in the abdomen, gas formation, loose motion, bloating, vomiting, fatigue, weight loss or bleeding.

Sometimes, if left untreated, death, too, can occur.

Its treatment, however, is most certainly possible, assures Dr. Patta Radhakrishna, the chief gastroenterologist surgeon at SIMS Hospital, Chennai. “But, of course, the sooner the treatment is initiated, the better for the patient.”

The trouble, though, is in its early detection. The disease can stay silent and hidden in people, throwing up symptoms only when it has advanced. Even so, the symptoms may appear to be pointing equally towards others diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Celiac Diseases, Food Intolerance, Colon Cancer, Ulcerative Colitis, Tuberculosis, and Food Allergy.  

It can get pretty confusing for the sufferer as well as for his physician! So, it may be advisable to consult a specialist doctor; a gastroenterologist in this case.

What triggers it

No one really knows what exactly causes Crohn’s disease. Some say, it could be triggered by diet and stress. Others say, it could be due to a rogue family gene.

“However, we do know it is a form of inflammation that occurs in the digestive tract, says Dr Patta. “An inflammation”, he explains, “is similar to what a person might feel when repeatedly slapped.”

The digestive tract, also called the gastrointestinal tract, is a pipe that runs from the mouth to the anus. (Please see the illustration).

The inflammation could occur in different patches inside the pipe, narrowing the pipe at those sections, and eventually — following persistent inflammation — causing blockages. (Please see the illustration)

Treatment

Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition. Whereas medical management may work for some time, about 70% of the affected people would eventually have to go for surgery, says a report by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America .

The type of surgery itself may vary from case to case depending on the surgeon’s assessment of the severity of illness, and depending on the location of the disease in the intestines.

CONTACT US 

SIMS Hospital - Vadapalani, Chennai

(Next to Vadapalani Metro Station)

No.1, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai

(100 Feet Road), Vadapalani

Chennai – 600 026, Tamilnadu, India

Call Us : +(91)-9790924876

Email: patta_radhakrishna@yahoo.co.in