Common Causes And Risk Factors For Canker Sores

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. Patients with this condition go through symptomatic episodes that may be followed by periods of remission. During an episode, the patient could have a fever, fatigue, diarrhea, abdominal pain, canker sores, blood in the stool, weight loss, and reduced appetite. If an anal fistula is present, there may be pain or drainage around the anus. Individuals with severe Crohn's disease might experience inflammation of the liver, bile ducts, joints, skin, or eyes, and children may have delayed growth and sexual development. To diagnose Crohn's disease, doctors will perform blood tests, and patients may need to have a colonoscopy, CT scans, MRI scans, balloon-assisted enteroscopy, or capsule endoscopy. Anti-inflammatory medicines are typically recommended as the first line of treatment. Patients may be prescribed corticosteroids for three to four months, and oral 5-aminosalicylates could be considered for certain individuals. Immunosuppressants such as methotrexate might be recommended, and some patients may need to take antibiotics like metronidazole or ciprofloxacin. Nutritional therapy with a feeding tube may be necessary during treatment for Crohn's disease, and patients who do not respond to medications and other therapies might need to have surgery. Surgeons will remove the damaged portion of the patient's digestive tract, and the healthy sections of the digestive tract will be reconnected. Some individuals may need to have more than one surgery.

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