Overview
Crohn's disease is a condition in which the immune system causes ongoing inflammation in the digestive tract. The inflammation can go deep into the bowel wall and may happen in patches with healthy areas in between. Over time, Crohn's disease can lead to problems such as narrowing of the intestine, sores, fistulas, and poor absorption of nutrients.
Key Symptoms
Common symptoms include ongoing diarrhea, cramping or abdominal pain, urgent bowel movements, tiredness, fever, and weight loss. Some people notice blood in the stool, mouth sores, loss of appetite, or pain around the anus. Crohn's disease can also affect other parts of the body, causing joint pain, skin changes, or eye inflammation.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause is not fully known. Experts believe Crohn's disease involves an abnormal immune response in people who are genetically more likely to develop it, along with environmental triggers. Smoking is a known risk factor and is linked to more severe disease. Family history can also increase risk.
Who Is Affected
Crohn's disease can begin at any age, but it often starts in adolescence or early adulthood. It affects people of all sexes, ethnicities, and regions, although rates vary around the world. Children and adults can both develop the disease, and growth may be affected when it starts in childhood.
Diagnosis and Tests
Diagnosis usually involves a medical history, physical exam, blood tests, stool tests, and tests to look inside the digestive tract. A clinician may use colonoscopy with biopsy, imaging such as CT or MRI, or other endoscopic tests to check the location and severity of inflammation. Because symptoms can overlap with infections and other bowel conditions, careful evaluation is important.
Treatment Categories
Treatment may include medicines to reduce inflammation, calm the immune response, control symptoms, and help maintain remission. Some people need nutritional support, treatment for anemia or vitamin deficiencies, or surgery for complications such as blockage, abscess, or fistulas. Care is often adjusted over time based on symptoms, test results, and side effects.
Living With It
Crohn's disease is usually managed over the long term, with periods when symptoms improve and times when they worsen. Regular follow-up can help monitor inflammation, nutrition, growth in children, and possible complications. Emotional stress does not cause Crohn's disease, but coping with a chronic illness can affect mental health and quality of life.
Diet and Lifestyle
There is no single eating plan that works for everyone with Crohn's disease. Keeping a symptom diary may help identify foods that are harder to tolerate during a flare, and a clinician or dietitian can help with nutrition if weight loss or deficiencies are a concern. Not smoking is especially important, and staying hydrated can help if diarrhea is frequent.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if you have ongoing diarrhea, repeated abdominal pain, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, fever, or symptoms that interfere with eating, drinking, work, or school. People already diagnosed with Crohn's disease should contact a healthcare professional if symptoms are getting worse, new symptoms appear, or they think they may have a complication.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get urgent medical help if you have severe or worsening abdominal pain, a swollen belly, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, heavy rectal bleeding, high fever, confusion, fainting, or cannot pass stool or gas. Urgent care is also needed for severe pain or drainage around the anus, or if you think you may have a bowel blockage, abscess, or perforation.