Crohn's disease (patient information)
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What is Crohn's disease?
Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, the general name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines. Because the symptoms of Crohn’s disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine. In Crohn’s disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased bowel.
Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families. About 20 percent of people with Crohn’s disease have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease, most often a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child. Crohn’s disease can occur in people of all age groups, but it is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30. People of Jewish heritage have an increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease, and African Americans are at decreased risk for developing Crohn’s disease.
Crohn’s disease may also be called ileitis or enteritis.
What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease?
Symptoms depend on what part of the gastrointestinal tract is affected. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and can come and go with periods of flare-ups.
The main symptoms of Crohn's disease are:
- Crampy abdominal (belly area) pain
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Persistent, watery diarrhea
Other symptoms may include:
- Abdominal fullness and gas
- Clotting problems (deep vein thrombosis)
- Constipation
- Eye inflammation
- Fistulas (usually around the rectal area, may cause draining of pus, mucus, or stools)
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Joint pain
- Kidney stones
- Liver inflammation
- Loss of appetite
- Pain with passing stool (tenesmus)
- Rectal bleeding and bloody stools
- Skin rash
- Swollen gums
- Unintentional weight loss
What are the causes of Crohn's disease?
Who is at risk for yourdisease?
How to know you have yourdisease?
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Crohn's disease
Directions to Hospitals Treating Crohn's disease