At this time, there is no way to predict which, if any, family members will develop Crohn's disease. In Crohn's disease, abdominal pain and diarrhea are often the earliest signs. The pain is primarily at or below the navel in the abdomen. These symptoms follow a meal. Additional testing to help make the diagnosis may include barium x-rays of the upper and lower GI tract, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and sometimes colonoscopy.
Laboratory tests are so helpful and include evaluation of the blood and stool.
Because Crohn's disease often mimics other conditions and symptoms may vary widely, the correct diagnosis of Crohn's disease may take some time. Because no medical cure for Crohn's disease exists, the goals of medical treatment are to suppress the inflammatory response, permit healing of tissue, and relieve the symptoms of fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Several groups of drugs form the mainstay of therapy for Crohn's disease today. Surgery becomes necessary in Crohn's disease when medication can no longer control the symptoms, or when there is an intestinal obstruction or other complication. In most cases, the diseased segment of bowel is removed and the two ends of healthy bowel are joined together.