Crohnsdisease can be serious, but it is not considered fatal.
However, there is the potential for severe or even life-threatening complications when not managed effectively.
Crohns disease is a form ofinflammatory bowel disease(IBD) which currently has no cure.
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Life expectancy depends on age at diagnosis, symptom severity, and treatment.
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Can You Die From Crohns Disease?
Crohns diseaseisnt usually thought of as being a fatal disease.
Its considered to be a chronic conditionone that lasts a long time and needs regular management.
However, Crohns disease can be quite serious in some people.
It can cause complications that might be life-threatening.
People with Crohns disease may need to havetreatmentslike surgery, which carry their own risk.
Life Expectancy With IBD
IBD may affect life expectancy.
A study published in 2020 showed that life expectancy in people with IBD has been increasing in recent decades.
The study found:
Do People With Crohns Disease Live Normal Lives?
However, when the disease is active (causing aflare-up), it can reduce the quality of life.
Life-Threatening Complications of Crohns
Some conditions associated with Crohns disease increase the risk of a life-threatening complication.
Colorectal Cancer
People with Crohn’s disease affecting the colon are at an increased risk forcolorectal cancer.
It is a major cause of mortality in people with IBD.
Everyone’s risk of colorectal cancer is going to be different.
Intestinal Obstruction
Anobstructionhappens when the bowel is blocked and stool cant move through it.
Obstructions are more common in people with IBD than in the general population.
This can be due to inflammation, which causes the bowel tissue to swell.
It can also happen when scar tissue forms from the inflammation, causing ulcers and then healing.
Obstructions may be treated with surgery, usually a resection to remove the narrowed part of the bowel.
There is not enough data about how often surgery for an obstruction can lead to a poor outcome.
One study showed that 7% of people who had surgery for obstruction had a severe complication.
However, there were no deaths in a study examining operations on 61 people from 2013 to 2017.
Afistulais an abnormal channel that is created between two organs or an organ and the skin.
About 12% of people with Crohns live with a fistula.
Unfortunately, having a fistula may be associated with other conditions that have a higher risk of mortality.
This was true even though there was an increase in people being admitted to the hospital during that time.
Perforated Colon
Perforationsare a risk for every form of IBD.
It’s thought that chronic inflammation weakens the intestinal wall and allows bacteria into the abdomen.
This is potentially life-threatening.
Studies report different rates, but it is generally thought to occur more frequently inulcerative colitisthan in Crohns disease.
Toxic megacolon is usually treated with surgery.
The risks of medications will be different for each person.
Crohn’s disease must be treated because the inflammation it causes could lead to serious complications.
Its important to consult with your healthcare provider about any new symptoms or if existing symptoms worsen.
Its better to find out symptoms are not serious rather than waiting until they become an emergency.
Stages of Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease goes through periods of active disease and remission.
It is generally considered a progressive disease, meaning that it may cause more complications over time.
People with any form of IBD may have a slightly shorter average lifespan than those without it.
However, life expectancy depends on age at diagnosis, symptom severity, and treatment.
Life-threatening complications from Crohns disease are not common.
It’s important to consult with your healthcare provider regarding any new or worsening symptoms.
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