Category: Abdominal Diseases
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Crohn`s Disease in Children
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, or long-term, illness. With Crohn’s disease, the intestine, or bowel, becomes inflamed and ulcerated, or marked with sores. Along with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease is one of a group of diseases known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s disease usually affects the lower part of the small intestine, which is called the ileum.…
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Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of your symptoms. Medications may include: antiviral medications antifungal medications antacids pain relievers oral steroids proton pump inhibitors (these medications block stomach acid production) If food allergies cause your condition, you must identify trigger foods and eliminate them from your diet. The top 6 food allergens include: milk soy eggs wheat…
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Long-term health complications
Untreated esophagitis can lead to serious health complications related to the function and structure of the esophagus. Complications include: Barrett’s esophagus, damage to the lining of your esophagus, which can lead to a precancerous change in the tissue stricture, or narrowing, of the esophagus that can lead to obstruction and problems swallowing holes or ulcers…
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Risk factors
Risk factors for developing esophagitis include: weakened immune system due to HIV or AIDS, diabetes, leukemia, or lymphoma hiatal hernia (when the stomach pushes through the opening in the diaphragm between the esophagus and stomach) chemotherapy radiation therapy of the chest surgery in the chest area medications to prevent organ transplant rejection immunosuppressive medications used to treat autoimmune diseases…
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Symptoms
Symptoms of esophagitis include: difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) pain when you swallow (odynophagia) sore throat hoarse voice heartburn acid reflux chest pain (worse with eating) nausea vomiting epigastric abdominal pain decrease in appetite cough Very young children may have difficulty feeding. Contact your doctor if you or your child experience and the following symptoms and: shortness of breath…
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Types
Eosinophilic esophagitis Eosinophilic esophagitis is caused by too many eosinophils in the esophagus. This happened when your body overrespond to an allergen. In children, this can make eating difficult. According to the Boston Children’s Hospital, 1 in 10,000 children has this form of esophagitis. Common triggers include: milk soy eggs wheat peanuts tree nuts shellfish Inhaled allergens,…
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Esophagitis
What is esophagitis? Esophagitis is any inflammation or irritation of the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that sends food from your mouth to your stomach. Common causes include acid reflux, side effects of certain medications, and bacterial or viral infections. Reflux is when the stomach contents and acids back up into the esophagus. This disorder can cause a…
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Management
There is, so far, no cure for Crohn’s disease. The following strategies may help with managing the symptoms: Education: Talk with the child about the disease. This can make it seem less scary and ease anxiety about bowel accidents. A parent or caregiver may also need to advocate for the child at school. Preparation: Have the right…
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Treatment
Treatment focuses on reducing the risk of complications, such as nutritional imbalances, and addressing the inflammation that causes Crohn’s symptoms. A doctor can prescribe medication to curb this inflammation, slow damage to the digestive system, and reduce symptoms, including secondary symptoms such as skin issues. One drug that doctors may recommend for children with mild…
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Diagnosis
No single test leads to a Crohn’s diagnosis — doctors use a variety of tests to check for Crohn’s-related inflammation and to rule out other issues. A doctor may: take a complete medical history test the blood for infections and inflammatory markers perform an endoscopic exam with a thin, flexible tool to look at the intestines Because…