Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a disease that causes inflammation or swelling, and irritation of any part of the digestive tract, also called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
The most commonly affected segment is the distal small intestine, the ileum.
In Crohn’s disease, inflammation extends deep into the lining of the affected segment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Swelling can cause pain and can make the intestine, also called the bowel, empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Chronic, or long-lasting, inflammation may produce scar tissue that builds up within the intestine, creating a stricture. A stricture is a narrowed passageway that can slow the movement of food through the intestine, causing pain or cramps.
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a general term for conditions that cause inflammation and irritation of the intestines. Crohn’s disease can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as ulcerative colitis, infections, and irritable bowel syndrome. For example, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease both cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.
The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, but researchers believe it is the result of an abnormal reaction by the body’s immune system. Normally, the immune system protects people from infection by identifying and destroying bacteria, viruses, or other potentially harmful foreign substances. Researchers believe that in Crohn’s disease, the immune system attacks bacteria, foods, and other substances that are actually harmless or beneficial. During this process, white blood cells accumulate in the intestinal lining, producing chronic inflammation that leads to ulcers (sores) and intestinal injury.
Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are abdominal pain and diarrhea. Rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fever may also occur. Bleeding may be severe and persistent, leading to anemia—a condition in which red blood cells are fewer or smaller than normal, resulting in reduced oxygen delivery to the body’s cells.
Treatment may include medications, surgery, nutrition supplementation, or a combination of these options. The goals of treatment are to control inflammation, correct nutritional deficiencies, and relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Treatment for Crohn’s disease depends on the location, severity, and complications of the disease.
Be sure to check out this great resource: Crohnology.com
Crohnology is a network that enables patients to collaborate, share health and treatment information, and track and share their health data. This is a great way to connect and learn from others’ experiences.
For more information on Crohn’s Disease, visit the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
*Information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the Colon Cancer Alliance and 
