Crohn’s Disease — Patient Information

A clear guide for Valley Gastroenterology patients.

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive tract. It can affect any part from mouth to anus, most commonly the terminal ileum and colon. Inflammation may be patchy and can extend through the bowel wall, which is why complications like strictures (narrowing) and fistulas (abnormal connections) can occur.

Common symptoms

  • Abdominal pain/cramping, often right‑lower abdomen
  • Chronic diarrhea, urgency, sometimes blood or mucus
  • Unintended weight loss, fatigue, low appetite
  • Fever during flares; perianal pain, drainage, or swelling

Red‑flag symptoms — call us promptly

  • Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, signs of obstruction (bloating, no gas/stool)
  • High fever, shaking chills, rectal abscess drainage or severe perianal pain
  • Black/tarry stools or heavy rectal bleeding

If severe pain, fainting, or signs of shock occur, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

How Crohn’s is diagnosed

  • History, exam, and labs: blood counts, iron studies, CRP/ESR; stool tests (e.g., fecal calprotectin) to detect inflammation
  • Colonoscopy with ileoscopy & biopsies: confirms inflammation pattern and rules out infection
  • Cross‑sectional imaging: MR enterography (preferred) or CT enterography to assess small bowel, strictures, fistulas, or abscess
  • Additional testing as needed (capsule endoscopy; avoid if stricture suspected without patency testing)

Treatment goals

  • Induce remission (get inflammation under control)
  • Maintain remission (prevent flares and complications)
  • Promote mucosal healing, growth in adolescents, good nutrition, and quality of life

Treatment options (personalized)

During flares / to induce remission

  • Corticosteroids (short term): prednisone or budesonide; not for long‑term maintenance
  • Antibiotics in select cases (e.g., perianal disease, abscess after source control)

Maintenance / long‑term control

  • Biologics / targeted therapies:
  • Anti‑TNF (e.g., infliximab, adalimumab)
  • Vedolizumab (gut‑selective), ustekinumab, risankizumab
  • Immunomodulators (thiopurines, methotrexate) in select cases or with biologics
  • Therapy choice depends on disease location, behavior (inflammatory vs. stricturing/fistulizing), prior response, and patient preferences

Perianal/fistulizing disease

  • Often needs a combined approach: seton placement by colorectal surgery + anti‑TNF or other biologics

Nutrition

  • Correct iron/B12/vitamin D deficiencies
  • Low‑residue diet during stricturing flares; individualized plans with a dietitian
  • Exclusive enteral nutrition may be considered in special situations

Surgery

  • For strictures, fistulas/abscesses, or when medical therapy fails. Goal is bowel preservation and symptom relief; medicines continue to prevent recurrence.

Monitoring & preventive care

  • Regular follow‑up to track symptoms, labs, and fecal calprotectin
  • Drug safety monitoring (labs, TB/hepatitis screening before biologics)
  • Vaccinations: keep up‑to‑date (influenza, COVID‑19, pneumococcal, hepatitis A/B, HPV, shingles as appropriate). Avoid live vaccines while on certain immunosuppressants—ask us.
  • Colon cancer surveillance: if Crohn’s affects much of the colon for >8 years, colonoscopy at recommended intervals
  • Smoking cessation: smoking worsens Crohn’s and increases flares and surgeries

Pregnancy & family planning

Most patients can have healthy pregnancies. Aim for disease remission before conception; many medications are compatible with pregnancy. Discuss plans with your GI team and OB/GYN.

Living well with Crohn’s

  • Follow your treatment plan and do not stop meds without guidance
  • Manage stress, prioritize sleep, and stay active as tolerated
  • Keep a simple flare diary (symptoms, triggers, medication adherence)

Alaska‑specific note

We offer telehealth for routine follow‑ups and coordinate local labs/imaging. Weather or road issues? We’ll reschedule without penalty and help minimize travel.

Next steps

If you have ongoing abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, or perianal symptoms, schedule a visit for evaluation. We’ll tailor testing and create a stepwise treatment plan.

Valley Gastroenterology

3190 E Meridian Park Loop, Suite 206

Wasilla, Alaska 99654

Phone: (907) 373-2544

Fax: (844) 689-4240

Web: ValleyGastroAK.com