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Crohn's disease, also known as granulomatous enteritis or colitis, regional enteritis, ileitis, or terminal ileitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition of the intestines. Crohns primarily causes ulcerations (breaks in the lining) of the small and large intestines, but crohn’s can affect the digestive system at any point, from the mouth to the anus.
Crohn's disease usually causes inflammation in the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The inflammation extends deep into the lining of the affected organ, and can cause pain and make the intestines empty frequently. Symptoms of crohns include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss. These symptoms tend to fluctuate between periods of inactivity (remission) and activity (relapse). Crohn's disease is categorized under the heading of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a general term applied to illnesses that cause inflammation in the intestines. It can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and to another type of IBD known as ulcerative colitis. The cause of Crohn's disease has not been determined, but dietary, infectious, and genetic factors may play a part. About 20 percent of people with Crohn's disease have a blood relative with some form of IBD, most often a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child. Unfortunately crohn's disease has no medical cure. It affects approximately 500,000 to 2 million men and women in the United States. Symptoms of crohns commonly begin during adolescence and early adulthood, but can strike at any time in an individual’s life. |
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