Ileocolitis, Crohn
Involvement of the large intestine (colon) only is called Crohn colitis or granulomatous colitis, while involvement of the small intestine alone is called Crohn enteritis. The most common part of the small intestine to be affected by Crohn disease is the last portion, called the ileum. Active disease in this area is termed Crohn ileitis. When both the small intestine and the large intestine are involved, the condition is called Crohn enterocolitis (or ileocolitis). Other descriptive terms may be used as well.
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss can be symptoms. Crohn disease can be associated with reddish tender skin nodules, and inflammation of the joints, spine, eyes, and liver. Diagnosis is commonly made by x-ray or colonoscopy. Treatment includes medications that are anti-inflammatories, immune suppressors, or antibiotics. Surgery can be necessary in severe cases.
Crohn disease is an area of active research around the world and new treatment approaches are being investigated which have promise to improve the lives of affected patients.
Read Also:
- Ileoscopy
Use of a flexible instrument (a “scope”) to examine the ileum which is the lowest part of the small intestine. Ileoscopy is usually accomplished during colonoscopy, when the instrument tip passes first through the rectum and the lower colon and eventually reaches the area where the ileum and the colon (the large bowel) connect. The […]
- Ileostomy
An opening into the ileum, part of the small intestine, from the outside of the body. An ileostomy provides a new path for waste material to leave the body after part of the intestine has been removed. An opening into the ileum, part of the small intestine, from the outside of the body. An ileostomy […]
- Ileum
Part of the small intestine beyond the jejunum and before the large intestine (colon).
- Ileus
Obstruction of the intestine due to its being paralyzed. The paralysis does not need to be complete to cause ileus, but the intestine must be so inactive that food cannot pass through it, which leads to blockage of the intestine. Ileus commonly follows some types of surgery. It can also result from certain drugs, injuries, […]
- Ileus, meconium
Obstruction of the intestine due to overly thick meconium, a dark, sticky substance that is normally present in the intestine at birth. Meconium is passed in the feces after birth, after trypsin and other enzymes from the pancreas have acted on it. Meconium ileus occurs when the infant has a deficiency of trypsin and other […]