Surgery is also fairly common, with up to two-thirds of people with Crohn’s disease undergoing the procedure at some point during their lifetime. “While surgery does not cure Crohn’s disease, it can conserve portions of your GI tract,” the charity explained. Surgery becomes necessary when a person develops a fistula, fissure, or intestinal obstruction.
Fistula
A fistula, caused by inflammation, is an abnormal channel that forms between one part of the intestine and another, or between the intestine and the bladder, vagina, or skin.
Fissure
Fissures are tears in the lining of the anus, which can cause pain and bleeding especially during bowel movements.
Surgery involves removing the diseased segment of the bowel and joining together two ends of a healthy bowel.
“Living with Crohn’s disease can be difficult at times, but there’s no reason you cannot have a normal life if your symptoms are well controlled,” the NHS adds.
Rylan Clark’s book, TEN: The Decade that Changed My Future, is out now in all good book stores.