[dlwife]

What should I ask a doctor about this condition and what should I look for when it comes to my husband? Can this severely hurt him? When have been to so many doctors and know can find what's wrong with him.

[shygrneyzs]

Do you mean Crohn's Disease?

Crohn's disease: A chronic inflammatory disease, primarily involving the small and large intestine, but which can affect other parts of the digestive system as well. It is named for Burrill Crohn, the American gastroenterologist who first described the disease in 1932.

Crohn disease is usually diagnosed in persons in their teens or twenties, but can come to the fore at any point in life. It can be a chronic, recurrent condition or can cause minimal symptoms with or even without medical treatment.

In mild forms, Crohn disease causes small scattered shallow crater- like areas (erosions) called aphthous ulcers in the inner surface of the bowel. In more serious cases, deeper and larger ulcers can develop, causing scarring and stiffness and possibly narrowing of the bowel, sometimes leading to obstruction. Deep ulcers can puncture holes in the bowel wall, leading to infection in the abdominal cavity (peritonitis) and in adjacent organs.

Crohn disease comes in many forms. Involvement of the large intestine (colon) only is called Crohn colitis or granulomatous colitis, while involvement of the small intestine alone is called Crohn enteritis. The most common part of the small intestine to be affected by Crohn disease is the last portion, called the ileum. Active disease in this area is termed Crohn ileitis. When both the small intestine and the large intestine are involved, the condition is called Crohn enterocolitis (or ileocolitis). Other descriptive terms may be used as well.

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss are common symptoms. Crohn disease can be associated with reddish tender skin nodules, and inflammation of the joints, spine, eyes, and liver. Diagnosis is commonly made by x-ray or colonoscopy. Treatment includes medications that are anti-inflammatories, immune suppressors or antibiotics. Surgery can be necessary in severe cases.

Some related websites include:

Hardin MD : Crohns Disease & IBD
Crohn's Disease - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
The Symptoms and Treatment of Chrons Disease

You read through the symptoms and start recording, such as a journal or diary, what your husband experiences. Days, times, factors, pain and severity of pain, how long the symptoms last, etc. Everything you can think of that would help a doctor in determining what is going on. Even things you may not think are part of something - record it - you never know what would be useful. If it is not, you have done no harm in journaling. You are not making the diagnosis, you are trying to help find out what is going on with your husband.

Best of all to you and your husband.