Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the digestive system. It can affect any part of the gut, from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine (ileum) and the large intestine (colon). Crohn’s disease is one of the two main types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, along with ulcerative colitis.
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The symptoms of Crohn’s disease vary depending on the location and severity of the inflammation. The most common symptoms are:
Some people may also experience:
The symptoms of Crohn’s disease may come and go, with periods of remission and flare-ups. Flare-ups can be triggered by factors such as stress, infection, smoking, certain foods or medications.
There is no single test that can diagnose Crohn’s disease. The diagnosis is based on a combination of:
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are both types of inflammatory bowel disease, but they have some differences.
Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive system, while ulcerative colitis only affects the colon and rectum. Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the entire thickness of the bowel wall, while ulcerative colitis only affects the inner lining of the bowel. Crohn’s disease can cause patches of inflammation that are separated by normal tissue, while ulcerative colitis causes continuous inflammation that starts from the rectum and spreads upwards. Crohn’s disease is more likely to cause complications such as strictures, fistulas and abscesses, while ulcerative colitis is more likely to cause complications such as bleeding, toxic megacolon and colon cancer which can be diagnosed with a colonoscopy.
There is no cure for Crohn’s disease, but the aim of treatment is to:
The main treatments for Crohn’s disease are:
The choice of treatment depends on the location and severity of the disease, the response to previous treatments, the side effects of the medications and the preference of the person. The treatment may change over time, depending on the course of the disease.
Crohn’s disease is a lifelong condition that can have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of the person. The prognosis of Crohn’s disease depends on several factors, such as:
Some people with Crohn’s disease may have a mild or moderate course of the disease, with few or no complications, and achieve long-term remission with treatment. Others may have a severe or aggressive course of the disease, with frequent or persistent symptoms, and require multiple surgeries or hospitalizations. Some people may also develop complications, such as bowel obstruction, perforation, bleeding, infection, malnutrition, osteoporosis, cancer or extra-intestinal manifestations.
When should a person see a doctor?
A person should see a doctor if they have symptoms that suggest Crohn’s disease, such as:
A person should also see a doctor if they have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and:
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