Crohn disease

Crohn's disease; Inflammatory bowel disease - Crohn's disease; Regional enteritis; Ileitis; Granulomatous ileocolitis; IBD - Crohn disease

Crohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. It may also occur in any part of the digestive system from the mouth to the end of the rectum (anus). Crohn disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)....

Read Full Article

The Basics

A Closer Look

Inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn disease, also called regional enteritis, is a chronic inflammation of the intestines which is usually confined to the terminal portion of the small intestine, the ileum. Ulcerative colitis is a similar inflammation of the colon, or large intestine. These and other IBDs (inflammatory bowel disease) have been linked with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Inflammatory bowel disease
illustration
Inflammatory bowel disease - series
Presentation

<strong>Inflammatory bowel disease - series</strong><p>The gastrointestinal tract starts at the mouth, which leads to the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and finally, the rectum and anus. The GI tract is basically a long, hollow, muscular tube through which food passes and nutrients are absorbed.</p>

<strong>Indications</strong><p>Inflammatory bowel disease is a condition in which the innner lining of the GI tract becomes inflamed, leading to ulcers and bleeding. The colon is most often the site of this inflammation. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have symptoms that include diarrhea, abdominal pain, infections, and bleeding. Inflammatory bowel disease falls under two main headings Crohn's disease, which involves the entire GI tract, and ulcerative colitis, which involves only the colon. The cause of inflammatory bowel disease is unknown.</p>

<strong>Incision</strong><p>The primary treatment for inflammatory bowel disease involves medications, such as steroids, which can decrease inflammation and resolve symptoms. Occasionally, if segments of bowel are very inflamed and are not responding to medication, surgery to remove these segments may be necessary. While the patient is deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), an incision is made in the midline of the abdomen.</p>

<strong>Procedure</strong><p>The inflamed segment of the colon or small intestine is removed and the healthy ends are sewn back together.</p>

<strong>Aftercare</strong><p>The removal of one section does not preclude recurrence of symptoms in other areas of the intestine. The course of inflammatory bowel disease is often variable. Some patients experience only mild symptoms, while others have more debilitating symptoms.</p>

Colon cancer - series
Presentation

<strong>Colon cancer - series</strong><p>The colon, or large intestine, is a muscular tube that begins at the end of the small intestine and ends at the rectum. The colon absorbs water from liquid stool that is delivered to it from the small intestine.</p>

<strong>Indication</strong><p>Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. Risk factors include a diet low in fiber and high in fat, certain types of colonic polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis), and certain hereditary disorders.</p>

<strong>Incision</strong><p>The treatment of colon cancer depends on the stage of the disease. Stage I cancer is limited to the inner lining of the colon; Stage II cancer involves the entire wall of the colon; Stage III cancer has spread to the lymph nodes; Stage IV cancer has spread to other organs (metastasized).</p>

<strong>Procedure</strong><p>Surgery is the main treatment for colon cancer and removal of the involved colon is required. If the cancer is located near the rectum, a colostomy may be necessary. For stage I and II colon cancer, surgery is usually the only treatment. For stage III or IV colon cancer, chemotherapy is necessary after surgery. There is also some suggestion that chemotherapy may also be helpful in some selected stage II patients. Chemotherapy involves a course of drugs which are toxic to cancer cells.</p>

<strong>Aftercare</strong><p>Stage I and II colon cancer have very high cure rates (60% to 90%); lower cure rates are seen with stage III and IV colon cancer. To detect colon cancer early, when it is most curable, everyone over the age of 55 should have bi-annual endoscopic examinations of the colon.</p>

Hysterectomy - Series
Presentation

<strong>Hysterectomy - Series</strong><p>The uterus is joined at the cervix to the vagina and by the fallopian or uterine tubes to the ovaries.</p>

<strong>Indications</strong><p>A hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus, resulting in the inability to become pregnant (sterility). May be done through the abdomen or the vagina. Hysterectomy may be recommended for Severe, long-term (chronic) infections (pelvic inflammatory disease); Severe inflammation of the lining of the uterus (endometriosis); Tumors in the uterus; Uterine fibroids, cancer of the endometrium, Cancer of the cervix, cancer of the ovary; Severe, long-term (chronic) vaginal bleeding. </p>

<strong>Procedure</strong><p>Hysterectomy is a very common operation. The uterus may be completely removed, partially removed, or may be removed with the tubes and ovaries. A partial hysterectomy is removal of just the upper portion of the uterus, leaving the cervix and the base of the uterus are left intact. A total hysterectomy is removal of the entire uterus and the cervix. A radical hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus, both Fallopian tubes, both ovaries, and the upper part of the vagina.</p>

<strong>Aftercare</strong><p>Most patients recover completely from hysterectomy. Removal of the ovaries causes immediate menopause and hormone replacement therapy (estrogen) may be recommended. The average hospital stay is from 5 to 7 days. Complete recovery may require 2 weeks to 2 months. Recovery from a vaginal hysterectomy is faster than from a abdominal hysterectomy. If the bladder was involved, then a catheter may remain in place for 3 to 4 days to help the bladder pass urine. Moving about as soon as possible helps to avoid blood clots in the legs and other problems. Walking to the bathroom as soon as possible is recommended. Normal diet is encouraged as soon as possible after bowel function returns. Avoid lifting heavy objects for a few weeks following surgery. Sexual activities should be avoided for 6 to 8 weeks after a hysterectomy.</p>

Colon cancer - series
Presentation

Hysterectomy - series
Presentation

Inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn disease, also called regional enteritis, is a chronic inflammation of the intestines which is usually confined to the terminal portion of the small intestine, the ileum. Ulcerative colitis is a similar inflammation of the colon, or large intestine. These and other IBDs (inflammatory bowel disease) have been linked with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Inflammatory bowel disease
illustration
Inflammatory bowel disease - series
Presentation

Colon cancer - series
Presentation

Hysterectomy - Series
Presentation

Colon cancer - series
Presentation

Hysterectomy - series
Presentation

Crohn disease

Crohn's disease; Inflammatory bowel disease - Crohn's disease; Regional enteritis; Ileitis; Granulomatous ileocolitis; IBD - Crohn disease

Read Full Article

The Basics

A Closer Look

Did you mean:

Crohn disease

Crohn's disease; Inflammatory bowel disease - Crohn's disease; Regional enteritis; Ileitis; Granulomatous ileocolitis; IBD - Crohn disease

Read Full Article

The Basics

A Closer Look

Review Date: 1/30/2023

Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Internal review and update on 02/10/2024 by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.

Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.

Crohn disease

The Basics

A Closer Look

Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease - series

Colon cancer - series

Hysterectomy - Series

Colon cancer - series

Hysterectomy - series

Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease - series

Colon cancer - series

Hysterectomy - Series

Colon cancer - series

Hysterectomy - series

Crohn disease

The Basics

A Closer Look

Crohn disease

The Basics

A Closer Look