CROHN'S | WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF DISEASE?

crohn's can affect different parts of the gut in different ways. patients can have one or more type of crohn's at the same time. complications and symptoms can differ depending on which part of the gut is affected.

TERMINAL ILEAL/ILEOCAECAL:

this is a very common type of crohn's disease. it affects the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large bowel. this type often presents as pain in the lower right side of the abdomen, often in conjunction with weight loss. of course there is diarrhoea, but it is not always bloody as the blood is digested by the time it reaches the rectum. sometimes however, there is not always diarrhoea if only a small section of the ileum is affected. But, even if it is only a small part that's affected by the disease you may experience watery diarrhoea due to bile salts not being properly absorbed.

COLONIC:

when the disease is only in the colon or large bowel it is called crohn's colitis. the main symptom is bloody diarrhoea. due to the inflammation, the colon can't hold as much waste as it should be able to, so there will be frequent bowel movements, often six times a day plus. there may also be a more frequent urge to empty the bowels due to the inflammation in the rectum. there can often be incontinence due to diarrhoea and urgency.

PERIANAL:

this type of crohn's around the anus can be on its on or in combination with other places in the gut. it causes a number of symptoms:

- fissures: these are tares in the lining of the anal canal. they can cause pain and bleeding,         particularly during bowel movements.

- skin tags: small, fleshy growths that develop around the anus. they usually cause no pain,      but if waste from the bowel collects around them can cause irritation.
- abscesses: these are collections of pus that develop around the anus. they can cause fever,    pain and tenderness. sometimes they may need to be drained or treated with antibiotics.        these can also cause fistulas.

- fistulas: small openings with pus that form a passageway from the anal canal to the skin       around the anus. they can also cause abscesses. they can leak pus and sometimes waste.        they are painful and cause irritation. they are usually treated with medication and/or            surgery.

SMALL BOWEL:

usual symptoms are pain and diarrhoea. diarrheoa is usually not blood-stained. often there is weight loss and anaemia.

GASTRODUODENAL:

this is where the disease affects the upper gut, the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum. this is a much less common form of the disease. symptoms may include indigestion-like pain, nausea, weight loss and loss of appetite.

ORAL:

the disease sometimes causes inflammation in the mouth. things such as painful ulcers, swollen gums, lips and face. this form of the disease is much more common in children and young people.

so, as you can see, this disease is not glamorous and there really is no way to sugar coat it. its nasty and revolves around poo, lovely! as a girl having this disease is pretty demeaning i think, having to constantly talk about your toilet habits and your poo isn't pleasant or the type of thing you want to be discussing with anyone. 

but, as i said, its important to be brave and confident if you have this disease and not let it win! with my family and friends we now laugh about it, because if we didn't we'd cry. once you get the correct medication and/or surgery for the form of the disease you have, you can lead a normal, happy life.

any questions, experiences, tips or tricks you want to share about dealing with the disease are more than welcome!

websites used: crohn's and colitis uk crohn's disease information booklet