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Different kinds of Crohn's?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/26/2013 5:28 AM (GMT 0)

Does anybody know if crohn's that attacks only the terminal ileum and the crohn's that attacks the entire digestive tract are different diagnoses?

Posted 10/26/2013 9:26 AM (GMT 0)
I think they're the same diagnoses, for now, but sometimes doctors will specify the region like "Crohn's of the Ileum" etc, presumably to give others an idea of the symptoms involved. I've always suspected that there are variants of the disease that are caused by slightly different things, attack different regions, etc. It's the only explanation that makes sense of how groups of us experiences the disease in wildly different ways, and why it's been so difficult to pinpoint the exact cause/treatment. To me, anyway.
Posted 10/26/2013 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
I had been diagnosed with UC in January...and now, last month I had another hospital stay and they said it was Crohn's bc it was in the ileum, so, I guess whenever the infection moves to the small intestines they immediately diagnose as CD. They haven't got the biopsies back yet, but that is what they told me and it seems they were pretty sure of it.
Posted 10/26/2013 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
There are 5 subtypes of crohn's because it can affect any part of the GI tract from mouth to anus...the inflammation for CD is patchy regardless where it's affecting and it can go through the many layers of the intestinal lining unlike UC which is limited to the rectum/colon, is not patchy inflammation and stays on the surface of the lining only.

The 5 Types of Crohn's Disease and Their Symptoms:

•Ileocolitis: Someone with this subtype can have diarrhea and substantial loss of weight. It is also associated with cramping or pain in the middle or lower right areas of the abdomen.

•Ileitis: This kind of Crohn's also causes diarrhea, weight loss and cramping or pain, but fistulas and abscesses are also possible in the lower abdomen.


•Gastroduodenal Crohn's disease: This type of Crohn’s can cause lack of appetite, nausea, and loss of weight. There is also the chance of obstructions, which can cause vomiting.

•Jejunoileitis: There is also the chance of fistulas with this type of Crohn's. It can cause pain in the abdomen that can range from light to heavy. One can experience cramps after eating, and suffer from diarrhea.

•Crohn's (granulomatous) colitis: Fistulas, milder (comparatively) ulcers and abscesses near the anus. Diarrhea is present. A person with granulomatous can also have rectal bleeding , pain in the joints and skin lesions.

Here's the full link..

http://www.healthline.com/health/crohns-disease/types



CD can also cause constipation issues while in an active flare as well for some of us.

Posted 10/26/2013 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I've never found a complete list of the variations. I appreciate the time you devoted to providing such a complete list.
Posted 10/26/2013 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Neat! There you go.
Posted 10/27/2013 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
The Montreal classification of Crohn's classifies it according to: age (at diagnosis), disease location and disease behaviour. Look it up if you want more info; it'll be just as quick as me providing a link to a lengthy article that nobody will read.

It's mostly just for research purposes anyways. It's not used much in actual clinical practice as far as I can tell.
Posted 10/27/2013 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Great information. Thanks for sharing!
Posted 10/28/2013 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Researchers have found clusters of genes that contribute to the development of IBD and define the severity and behavior of the disease over time. That's why IBD is so individual for us, very frustrating.
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