Crohn's disease; Inflammatory bowel disease - Crohn's disease; Regional enteritis; Ileitis; Granulomatous ileocolitis; IBD - Crohn disease
Crohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed.
Crohn disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Ulcerative colitis is another form of IBD.
The exact cause of Crohn disease is unknown. It occurs when your body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue (autoimmune disorder), mainly in the digestive tract.
When parts of the digestive tract remain swollen or inflamed, the walls of the intestines become thickened.
Factors that may play a role in Crohn disease include:
Crohn disease may occur at any age. It mostly begins in people between ages 15 and 35.
Symptoms depend on the part of the digestive tract involved. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and can come and go, with periods of flare-ups.
The main symptoms of Crohn disease are:
Other symptoms may include:
A physical exam may show a mass or tenderness in the abdomen, skin rash, swollen joints, or mouth ulcers.
Tests to diagnose Crohn disease include:
A stool culture may be done to check for other possible causes of the symptoms.
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
Tips for managing Crohn disease at home:
DIET AND NUTRITION
You should eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. Include enough calories, protein, and nutrients from a variety of food groups.
No specific diet has been shown to make Crohn disease symptoms better or worse. Types of food problems may vary from person to person.
Some foods can make diarrhea and gas worse. To help ease symptoms, try:
Ask your health care provider about extra vitamins and minerals you may need, such as:
If you have an ileostomy, you will need to learn:
STRESS
You may feel worried, embarrassed, or even sad and depressed about having a bowel disease. Other stressful events in your life, such as moving, a job loss, or the loss of a loved one can worsen digestive problems.
Ask your provider for tips on how to manage your stress.
MEDICINES
You can take medicine to treat very bad diarrhea. Loperamide (Imodium) can be bought without a prescription. Always talk to your provider before using these drugs.
Other medicines to help with symptoms include:
Your provider may also prescribe medicines to help control Crohn disease:
SURGERY
Some people with Crohn disease may need surgery to remove a damaged or diseased part of the intestine. In some cases, the entire large intestine is removed, with or without the rectum.
People who have Crohn disease that does not respond to medicines may need surgery to treat problems such as:
Surgeries that may be done include:
Social support can often help with the stress of dealing with illness, and support group members may also have useful tips for finding the best treatment and coping with the condition.
More information and support for people with Crohn disease and their families can be found at:
www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org
There is no cure for Crohn disease. The condition is marked by periods of improvement followed by flare-ups of symptoms. Crohn disease cannot be cured, even with surgery. But the surgical treatment can offer major help.
You have more risk for small bowel and colon cancer if you have Crohn disease. Your provider may suggest tests to screen for colon cancer. A colonoscopy is often recommended if you have had Crohn disease involving the colon for 8 or more years.
Those with more severe Crohn disease may have these problems:
Contact your provider if you:
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Kaplan GG, Ng SC. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 115.
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Lichtenstein GR, Loftus EV Jr, Isaacs KL, Regueiro MD, Gerson LB, Sands BE. Correction: ACG Clinical Guideline: management of Crohn's disease in adults. Am J Gastroenterol. 2018;113(4):481-517. PMID: 29895986 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29895986/.
BACK TO TOPReview Date: 1/30/2023
Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Internal review and update on 02/10/2024 by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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06/01/2025
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