Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that typically develops in the colon and small intestines. It’s a condition that affects more than 780,000 people in the United States, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. Although Crohn’s disease itself is not life-threatening, it can lead to complications.
Potential Complications of Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease, especially if untreated, can cause health issues that affect your quality of life.
Intestinal Obstruction
Intestinal obstructions are the most common complications faced by people with Crohn’s disease. The inflammation and scarring the condition causes can make the bowel wall narrower. In some cases, medications alone help manage this narrowing, but in other instances, surgery is necessary.
Colorectal Cancer
People with Crohn’s disease have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. The longer you have Crohn’s, the more your risk potentially grows.
Fistulas
Fistulas are also common. They are tunnels that form from sores or ulcers in the intestinal tract. Medication or surgery are both excellent treatment options.
Perforated Colon
A perforated colon is when a hole develops in the intestinal wall, leading the bowel’s contents to spill into the abdomen. This is a rare complication in people who are receiving treatment for Crohn’s disease.
Living With Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is not a fatal condition if you follow the right lifestyle changes and get the treatment you need. Complications usually only arise if you don’t receive any treatment at all. It’s important to remember, however, that the disease can cause issues like nutritional deficiencies, mouth sores, kidney stones, and even anemia.
By speaking with your doctor about the latest treatment options, including regenerative medicine like stem cell therapy, you can help manage the condition so that it puts as little strain on your daily life as possible.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine also known as Stem Cell Therapy. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.
