Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the intestines, but it often affects the small intestine, also called the small bowel.
Although Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the intestine, it most often affects the small bowel.
The article below examines Crohn’s disease in the small bowel, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, management, and general outlook.
About one-third of
The three sections of the small bowel include the:
- ileum
- jejunum
- duodenum
According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Crohn’s disease in the small bowel most commonly affects the ileum.
Learn more about the types of Crohn’s disease here.
Symptoms
When Crohn’s affects the small bowel,
- diarrhea
- weight loss
- malabsorption of nutrients
- abdominal pain
In severe cases, deep ulcers may develop in the small intestine. Ongoing inflammation can also lead to the development of scar tissue in the small bowel. This may slow food movement through the bowel and lead to severe cramps.
Possible tests to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) include a colonoscopy. However, doctors do not consider a colonoscopy useful when diagnosing Crohn’s disease in the small bowel. This is because the proximal bowel is not accessible through a colonoscopy.
Additional imaging tests are required to help doctors diagnose Crohn’s disease in the small bowel.
Another option includes a CT enterography, a special CT scan that can see the small bowel better.
There is no cure for Crohn’s disease, but treatment is available to manage the condition. Regardless of which section of the intestine or small bowel Crohn’s affects, treatment aims at:
- reducing inflammation
- decreasing flare-ups
- providing adequate nutrition
Learn more about treatments for Crohn’s disease here.
Treatment may include:
Medications
Various classifications of medications may help manage small bowel Crohn’s disease. Medications may include:
- anti-inflammatory medications
- antibiotics to treat infection
- immunomodulators to suppress the immune system response that leads to inflammation
Learn about some natural remedies that may help reduce symptoms here.
Surgery
Ongoing inflammation can damage small bowel tissue. If the damage becomes severe enough, medication alone may not help. Doctors may sometimes recommend surgery to treat small bowel Crohn’s disease. For instance, a small bowel resection involves removing damaged tissue at the end of the small bowel.
There are additional ways to manage Crohn’s disease. Proper management may reduce the severity of symptoms and the frequency of flare-ups.
General guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology include dietary changes.
During a flare-up, recommendations may include enteral nutrition. This involves delivering liquid nutrients directly to the stomach or small intestine, typically through a tube. External nutrition involves a liquid diet regimen with the needed calories and nutritional requirements.
Some healthcare providers may also recommend the Crohn’s disease exclusion diet. The exclusion diet involves limiting foods that may adversely affect the gut bacteria, cause inflammation, or inhibit nutrient absorption. The diet typically excludes the following:
- animal fat
- wheat
- dairy
- processed foods
- additives
- red meat
Individuals with Crohn’s disease in the small bowel may become at risk of nutritional deficiencies. For instance, common symptoms, such as diarrhea, may reduce the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
A nutritionist can help develop an appropriate nutritional plan to meet a person’s needs.
Learn more about nutritional deficiencies and Crohn’s disease here.
The outlook for Crohn’s disease in the small bowel may vary depending on the extent of the bowel affected. Individuals that develop complications may require multiple surgeries.
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Learn more about the outlook for people with Crohn’s disease.
Crohn’s disease can affect any portion of the small or large intestines, but the majority of cases involve the small bowel. Symptoms may include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and weight loss. Treatment aims to reduce inflammation and prevent flare-ups.