"Diarrhea, abdominal pain, and eye inflammation" – what is this?… Suspect 'Crohn's disease' [body's warning]

Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Baek Young-mi = When intestinal problems occur, repetitive and sudden abdominal pain or diarrhea can trigger warning signs in everyday activities such as studying, working, eating, and sleeping. In addition to frequent diarrhea or abdominal pain, if other symptoms such as eye abnormalities, skin rashes, or joint pain accompany them, it is necessary to suspect Crohn's disease.

 

According to the medical community on the 31st, Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can occur throughout the entire digestive tract, from the mouth to the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. Crohn's disease is known to develop when immune responses trigger disturbances in the immune system. Environmental factors such as fine dust and Westernized eating habits are considered contributing factors, but the exact cause has not been identified.

 

It is estimated that there are approximately 20,000 to 25,000 Crohn's disease patients in the country. Last year, the number of patients who visited medical institutions for Crohn's disease was 33,238, an increase of over 27% compared to 24,133 in 2019. Due to the nature of Crohn's disease being difficult to cure and requiring lifelong management, the prevalence is expected to gradually increase.

 

Crohn's disease primarily affects teenagers in their teens and young adults in their twenties. The consumption of instant foods and greasy foods due to Westernized eating habits, as well as stress, have been suggested as related factors. When Crohn's disease develops during adolescence, even if the individual eats well, inflammation in the intestines can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, which may hinder normal growth. If Crohn's disease occurs at the beginning of social life, it can also cause difficulties in group or organizational activities, so caution is necessary.

 

In particular, symptoms of Crohn's disease such as diarrhea or abdominal pain can be confused with irritable bowel syndrome. The symptoms of Crohn's disease are quite similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome.

 

Professor Cha Jae-myeong of the Gastroenterology Department at Gangdong Kyunghee University Hospital said, "It is common to confuse the two diseases based solely on frequent abdominal pain and diarrhea, but Crohn's disease can be accompanied by symptoms outside the digestive tract." He added, "For example, if there are abnormalities in the eyes, skin rashes, joint pain, or other 'extraintestinal symptoms,' Crohn's disease should be suspected."

 

To accurately diagnose Crohn's disease, it is essential to take the patient's medical history, perform endoscopy and tissue biopsies, and conduct imaging tests such as CT or MRI for the small intestine, which is difficult to view with endoscopy. A comprehensive assessment that includes clinical findings, blood tests, endoscopic observations, and imaging results is necessary. Crohn's disease cannot be confirmed through just a few tests; therefore, it is crucial to seek treatment from a specialist with extensive experience in inflammatory bowel disease.

 

[Graphic = Newsis] It is common to confuse two diseases based solely on frequent abdominal pain and diarrhea, but Crohn's disease can be accompanied by symptoms outside the digestive tract. For example, if there are abnormalities in the eyes, skin rashes, joint pain, etc., which are 'extraintestinal symptoms,' Crohn's disease should be suspected. (Graphic = Reporter Ahn Ji-hye) hokma@newsis.com. 2024.08.31.

 

 

[Graphic = Newsis] It is common to confuse two diseases based solely on frequent abdominal pain and diarrhea, but Crohn's disease can be accompanied by symptoms outside the digestive tract. For example, if there are abnormalities in the eyes, skin rashes, or joint pain, which are 'extraintestinal symptoms,' Crohn's disease should be suspected. (Graphic = Reporter Ahn Ji-hye) hokma@newsis.com. 2024.08.31.

Crohn's disease is a condition that can be treated with various medical therapies. If the symptoms are relatively mild, anti-inflammatory drugs effective against inflammation are used first. During acute exacerbations, steroids are administered. When reducing steroid dosage or discontinuing steroids, immunomodulators are used as maintenance medication.

 

Recently, with the widespread use of biological agents (biopharmaceuticals), cases where patients' symptoms suddenly worsen have significantly decreased. However, if stenosis occurs, or perforation or cancer develops, surgical intervention is ultimately unavoidable.

 

Crohn's disease, once it occurs, requires continuous management similar to chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Minimizing instant foods as much as possible and sticking to a Korean-style diet can help reduce the risk of Crohn's disease. Maintaining healthy habits such as moderate exercise and stress management is also important.

 

Professor Cha said, "I see patients who have been treated for Crohn's disease since childhood going to college, getting jobs, getting married, and coming to the hospital with their children," adding, "Crohn's disease treatment is a lifelong journey for patients."

 

He also said, "Any illness can be exhausting if it persists for a long time, but if you manage and treat it with a positive attitude without giving up, you can avoid various complications as well as unnecessary treatments." He added, "If you notice any abnormality in your body, do not delay and be sure to see a specialist for appropriate treatment."

 

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