Can Crohns disease (CD) cause health problems throughout the body?
Yes. CD can cause a number of problems outside of the digestive system including: • joint pain or arthritis, • inflammation in the eye and mouth, • gallstones, • several liver diseases, • skin rashes, • low level of iron in the blood or anemia, and • kidney stones. Some of these problems get better when the Crohn’s disease is treated. Others must be treated separately. How is Crohn’s disease (CD) diagnosed? If you think you might have CD, talk to your doctor. She will use your health history, a physical exam, and several tests to figure out if you have CD. Tests used to diagnose CD include: • Blood tests: A sample of blood is studied in a lab to find signs of inflammation and anemia (low iron levels). • Stool sample: A sample of a bowel movement is tested for blood or infection. • Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series with Small Bowel Follow-Through: The patient drinks a chalky liquid that contains barium. Then x-rays are taken. Barium shows up on x-rays. This allows the doctor to “see” t
Yes. CD can cause a number of problems outside of the digestive system including: • joint pain or arthritis, • inflammation in the eye and mouth, • gallstones, • several liver diseases, • skin rashes, • low level of iron in the blood or anemia, and • kidney stones. Some of these problems get better when the Crohn’s disease is treated. Others must be treated separately.
