Crohn's Disease

---

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the Gastrointestinal tract. The condition most commonly affects the Terminal Ileum (small intestine), although any region of the digestive tract may be affected from the  mouth to anus. 

• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Persistent diarrhea or Constipation
• Intermittent vomiting
• Fever
• Rectal bleeding
• Urgent need to move bowels
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Fatigue 
• Night sweats
• Loss of normal menstrual cycle
• Weight loss >10%
• Intestinal obstruction

• Abscess—Infected fluid collection within a tissue cavity.
• Anemia—Due to blood loss in the stool or lack of iron or vitamin B12.
• Bone loss—Often due to decreased vitamin D absorption, which can lead to bone loss. Also, steroid treatments can exacerbate bone loss. 
• Bowel obstruction—Chronic inflammation of the intestinal wall can cause scarring and obstruction of the lumen blocking the flow of digestion.
• Fissures—Tears in the anus lining which can cause pain and bleeding during bowel movements.
• Fistula—Abnormal tunnels that form between 2 structures of the body which are caused by inflammation
• Increased risk of colon cancer—Chronic inflammation of the colon can lead to colon dysplasia (abnormal or precancerous cells); and therefore, colon cancer.
• Malabsorption and malnutrition—Vitamin and mineral deficiency including Iron and Vitamin B12.
• Perforated bowel—Chronic inflammation can weaken the intestinal wall.
• Stricture—Narrowing of the intestinal lumen, resulting from chronic inflammation.
• Ulcers—Chronic inflammation can lead to ulcers forming anywhere in your digestive tract—from the mouth to anus.

The goal of management of Crohn's Disease is to reduce inflammation and induce a clinical remission of the disease. 

References: 

1.  An overview of cannabis based treatment in Crohn's disease

2. Cannabis induces a clinical response in patients with Crohn's disease: a prospective   placebo-controlled study.

3. Cannabis for the treatment of Crohn's disease.

4. An overview of cannabis based treatment in Crohn's disease. 

5. Cannabis for the Treatment of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Evidence From Cochrane Reviews.