Crohns Disease
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Course and Complications
The disorder often remains quiet and easily controlled for long periods of time. Most people with Crohn’s disease continue to pursue their goals in life, go to school, marry, raise a family, exercise and work with few limitations or inconveniences.Some problems, outside the bowel, can occur. Arthritis, eye disorders, skin problems, and in rare instances, chronic liver conditions may develop. If the disease occurs around the anal canal, open painful sores called fissures, can develop. A fistula can also form. A fistula is a tiny channel that burrows from the rectum to the skin around the anus. Infrequently, fistulas can track into the urinary bladder, the vagina or even another part of the intestine. In addition, when inflammation persists in the ileum or colon, narrowing and partial obstruction may occur. Surgery is usually required to treat this problem. When Crohn’s disease has been present for many years, there is an increased risk of cancer.
A major problem that may occur very early in the disease is loss of calcium in the bones. This occurs without any symptoms. At this stage, it is called osteopenia. Later, when it progresses, it is called osteoporosis. Since Crohn’s Disease for the most part is a disease of young people, this bone loss can occur at a very early age. This is why most Crohn’s patients need to take extra calcium and vitamin D in their diet and with supplements. In addition, they should get a bone scan (densitometry) to detect early loss of bone. A simple x-ray will not detect early bone loss.
