CROHN'S | WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS?

complications with crohn's disease can appear in the gut or in other parts of the body, or both. they can happen at any time.

STRICTURE:

due to the constant inflammation and healing in the bowel, due to the nature of this disease, it can cause a significant amount of scar tissue to form. this can narrow the passageway of the affected parts of the bowel. this narrowing is called a stricture. the stricture can make it difficult for food to pass through the gut and can cause a blockage. 

symptoms include:

- severe cramping abdominal pain

- nausea and/or vomiting

- constipation

- the abdomen can also become            distended and there may be loud        gut sounds.

PERFORATION:

this usually happens when a stricture causes a blockage, which can lead to perforation or rupture of the bowel, which causes a hole. the contents of the bowel may then leak out and cause an abscess. this in turn causes severe pain and fever. these abscesses can lead to fistulas.

FISTULA:

a fistula forms when the inflammation in crohn's spreads through the whole thickness of the bowel wall and continues to tunnel through the layers of other tissues. these tunnel can connect the bowel or other loops of bowel to the surrounding organs such as the bladder and vagina, to the outside skin, including the skin around the anus, this is called perianal crohn's disease.

like all diseases, of course there are complications with crohn's, but realistically speaking having anyone one of these complications can become life-threatening if it isn't treated quickly and correctly. i'm lucky enough to have not yet experienced any of these issues, but i know people who have and its a horrific experience. as i've said before, this disease is horrible and extremely unpredictable. but once you have the correct treatment and support around you, i know you can live a happy, healthy life.

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