Crohn's Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

This document provides information about Crohn's Disease, including its pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It also includes nursing care tips, client education information, and interprofessional care recommendations. The document highlights the importance of regular exercise, stress reduction, and avoiding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It also discusses the potential complications of the disease and how to manage them.

ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES TherapeuTic procedure A11
System Disorder
STUDENT NAME _____________________________________
DISORDER/DISEASE PROCESS __________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________
ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATE:
ASSESSMENT SAFETY
CONSIDERATIONS
PATIENT-CENTERED CARE
Alterations in
Health (Diagnosis) Pathophysiology Related
to Client Problem Health Promotion and
Disease Prevention
Risk Factors Expected Findings
Laboratory Tests Diagnostic Procedures
Complications
Therapeutic Procedures Interprofessional Care
Nursing Care Client EducationMedications
Crohn's Disease
Colonoscopy
Computerized tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Capsule endoscopy
Balloon-assisted enteroscopy
Nursing care of patients with Crohn's disease
comprise of strategies to control diarrhea and
enhancing optimal bowel function; reducing or
preventing rise of problems; promote optimal
nutrition, and deliver information about the disease
process and treatment needs.
Imaging tests are used to detect Crohn's disease –
1. Conventional X-rays
2. Contrast X-rays
3. Computerized tomography (CT scan)
4. Leukocyte scintigraphy (white blood cell scan)
5. Endoscopy (includes colonoscopy)
6. Endoscopic ultrasound
7. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Blood tests
1. Tests for anemia or infection
2. Fecal occult blood test
Crohn disease starts with crypt inflammation and
abscesses, which later becomes into tiny focal aphthoid
ulcers. These mucosal lesions may change into deep
longitudinal and transverse ulcers with intervening
mucosal edema, forming a distinctive cobblestoned
appearing in the bowel
1. Chronic diarrhea with abdominal pain,
fever, anorexia, and weight loss
2. The abdomen is tender, and a mass or
fullness may be palpable.
Crohn's disease cannot be prevented. However, by changing the diet pattern,
reducing stress levels, and participating actively in the treatment procedure can help
reduce the incidence of the disease. Patients should follow the advice provided by
the physician regarding medications and nutrition.
1. Age
2. Ethnicity
3. Family history
4. Cigarette smoking
5. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
People who have
been diagnosed with
Crohn's disease
should do regular
exercise, should stop
smoking ciggaretes,
and should avoid
taking any
non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory
drugs like ibuprofen
and naproxen as such
medicines worsens
the condition.
Physiotherapist should take care of the patient ’ s emotional stress as it
increases peristalsis, causing abdominal pain and discomfort to increase. It's
important for your patient to participate in activities that reduce stress,
depression, and anxiety. A reduction in stress also helps to normalize bowel
function.
A nutritionist or a dietician should help the patient avoid food items that
produce GI discomfort. The nutritionist should ensure that the patient intake
proper amount of fluids, carbohydrates, protein, fats, fruits, and vegetables
and also the patient should drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily to prevent
dehydration.
People who have been diagnosed with Crohn's
disease and also people who have not been should
be educated on how to prevent or manage the
disease. The patients should be asked to do regular
exercise, smoking should be stopped, and they
should avoid taking any non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and
naproxen as such medicines worsens the condition.
1. Anti-inflammatory
drugs:
Corticosteroids
(Prednisone and
Budesonide)
Oral
5-aminosalicylates
(Sulfasalazine)
2. Immune system
suppressors:
Azathioprine
(Azasan, Imuran)
Methotrexate
(Trexall)
3. Antibiotics:
(Ciprofloxacin and
Metronidazole)
Crohn's disease can be treated with the help of medicines, bowel rest and
surgery.
The goal of treatment is to decrease the inflammation in the intestine and to
prevent re-occurrence of the symptoms
1. Medicines (help in reducing symptoms)
2. Bowel rest (if symptoms are severe, then the bowel is given rest by drinking
only certain liquids comprising nutrients and not eating anything)
3. Surgery (to treat fistulas, bleeding, intestinal obstructions)
1. Megacolon and
rupture of the
intestine
2. Painful eye
conditions
3. Arthritis
4. Inflammation of
the low back and
spine
5. Hepatitis
6. Cirrhosis
7. Jaundice
8. Cancer