Crohn’s disease are under development. Individuals
interested in participating in a clinical trial of a new
drug or therapy for Crohn’s disease at no cost can find
a list of trials currently enrolling volunteers athttp://
[http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.](http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.>)
Medical treatment becomes less effective over
time. When medical treatment fails or if the intestine
becomes thickened and so that blockages occur, sur-
gery may be necessary. About 80% of all people with
Crohn’s disease eventually need surgery. Surgery to
remove part of the intestine usually relieves symptoms
for a few years, but surgery is not a cure for Crohn’s
disease, and symptoms almost always return within a
few years.
Nutrition/Dietetic concerns
People with Crohn’s disease tend to have vitamin
and mineral deficiencies because damage to the lining of
the intestine interferes with the absorption of nutrients,
and chronic diarrhea hastens the loss of other nutrients.
These deficiencies can cause specific disorders in other
parts of the body. In addition, children with Crohn’s
disease also may need special high-calorie, high-nutrient
liquid supplements to maintain normal growth. A nutri-
tionist consulting with the patient’s gastroenterologist
can help determine the best diet and supplements to
prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Although eating certain foods does not cause
Crohn’s disease, specific foods can worsen symptoms.
Many people with Crohn’s disease become lactose
intolerant and must limit or eliminate dairy products
from their diet. Alcohol, highfiberfoods such as pop-
corn, and spicy foods can worsen diarrhea and abdomi-
nal cramping. Individuals must be alert to the effect of
food on their symptoms until they figure out which
foods to avoid.
Therapy
Crohn’s disease can be very disruptive. Individu-
als may be reluctant to go places or do certain things
because frequent diarrhea requires them to be near a
toilet. Support groups, either on the Web or in person,
help many people adjust to the difficulties of living
with this chronic disease. Other people find that psy-
chotherapy (talk therapy) guided by a psychologist or
psychiatrist experienced in the stresses of chronic ill-
ness can help them make a better adjustment to life
with Crohn’s disease.
Prognosis
Crohn’s disease is a life-long disease. Symptoms
may improve or disappear for periods, but overall,
symptoms and complications tend to worsen,
although the disease itself is rarely fatal. Most people
with Crohn’s disease eventually need surgery as the
disease becomes less and less responsive to medica-
tion. Living with Crohn’s disease can be a difficult
challenge that requires major lifestyle adjustments.Prevention
Crohn’s disease cannot be prevented.Resources
BOOKS
Steinhart, HillaryCrohn’s and Colitis: Understanding the Facts
About IBD. West Toronto, Ontario: Robert Rose, 2006.
Sklar, Jill.The First Year: Crohn’s diseaseand Ulcerative
Colitis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. 2nd
ed. New York: Marlowe and Co., 2007.
Warner, Andrew S. and Amy Barto.100 Questions &
Answers About Crohn’s diseaseand Ulcerative Colitis: A
Lahey Clinic Guide. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett
Publishers, 2007.
Zonderman, Jon and Ronald Vender.Understanding Crohn
Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Jackson, MS: University
Press of Mississippi, 2006.
ORGANIZATIONS
American College of Gastroenterology. P.O. Box 342260
Bethesda, MD 20827-2260. Telephone: (301) 263-9000.
Website:<http://www.acg.gi.org>
American Gastroenterological Association. 4930 Del Ray
Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. Telephone: (301) 654-- Fax: (301) 654-5920. Website:http://www
.gastro.org
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. 386 Park Avenue
South, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10016. Telephone:
(800) 932-2423. Website:http://www.ccfa.org
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
(NDDIC). 2 Information Way, Bethesda, MD 20892- - Telephone: (800) 891-5389. Fax: (703) 738-4929.
Website:http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov
OTHER
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. ‘‘About Crohn’s
Disease.’’ 2007.http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/
crohns
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. ‘‘Living with
Crohn’s Disease.’’ 2007.http://www.ccfa.org/frame-
viewer/?url=/media/pdf/crohns2005.pdf
Jalta, Muralindhar and Peter Marmula. ‘‘Crohn Disease.’’
eMedicine.com, July 21, 2006.http://www.emedici-
ne.com/ped/topic507.htm
Mayo Clinic Staff. ‘‘Crohn’s Disease.’’ MayoClinic.com,
April 5, 2007.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/
crohns-disease/DS00104
Mayo Clinic Staff. ‘‘Crohn’s Disease: Can Diet Worsen
Symptoms?’’ MayoClinic.com, June 2, 2006.http://
[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/crohns-disease/](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/crohns-disease/)
AN00353
Crohn’s disease