Crohn’s Disease Specialist
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San Lucas Surgical Associates
Rolando Saenz, MD
General and Colorectal Surgeon located in San Antonio, TX
Nearly 1 million Americans suffer from Crohn’s disease, a condition that afflicts your digestive tract with inflammation. Dr. Rolando H. Saenz at San Lucas Surgical Associates in Downtown, San Antonio, Texas, manages and treats this incurable condition, providing patients with an improved quality of life. If you notice persistent changes in your bowel movements, or symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and abdominal cramping, call today.
Crohn’s Disease Q & A
What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of your digestive tract, which can lead to a variety of complications. The specifics of Crohn’s disease and its symptoms can vary depending on which areas of the digestive tract it affects in each individual. It often spreads deep into parts of bowel tissue.
Often disruptive and outright painful, Crohn's disease, in some cases, can actually be life-threatening. Although there isn’t a cure for Crohn’s disease, there is a host of treatment options that can alleviate painful symptoms and ultimately lead to long-term relief from discomfort. Many Crohn’s disease sufferers are able to lead normal lives despite their condition.
What are common signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
Symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease can range widely from mild to severe. In most cases, signs develop gradually, but they can occur suddenly. It’s also fairly common to notice symptoms, then experience symptoms disappearing for a period of time, which is referred to as remission.
When you’re actively suffering from Crohn’s disease, common signs and symptoms include:
- Abdominal cramping
- Blood in your stool
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Mouth sores
- Reduced appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
In more serious cases of Crohn’s disease, you may experience inflammation spread to other body parts, such as your eyes, skin, or your joints. In children, Crohn’s disease can manifest in delayed growth or sexual development.
How do you manage and treat Crohn’s disease?
Dr. Saenz offers a Crohn’s disease diagnosis only after a series of tests to rule out other diseases. He may elect to perform a combination of blood tests, a colonoscopy, MRI scans, and CT scans to evaluate the inflammation in your digestive tract.
The goal of treatment for Crohn’s disease is to limit inflammation that causes symptoms and provide long-term relief. Individualized treatment plans typically include anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, and other medications. Nutrition therapy can also help curb the progression of Crohn’s disease by improving the condition of your bowels.
When medications and lifestyle changes don’t produce results, Dr. Saenz may opt for surgery to extract damaged parts of your digestive tract and reconnect healthy segments. The lasting benefits of surgery are best realized through ongoing monitoring, medication, and nutrition therapy.
If you’re noticing changes in your bowel habits or any signs and symptoms tied to Crohn’s disease, call today.
