A type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease causes your digestive tract to become swollen and irritated. If you have Crohn’s, you might experience symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and rectal bleeding. This is a life-long condition that cannot be cured. However, treatments typically help manage your symptoms and allow you to live an active life.
Crohn’s disease, also called regional enteritis or ileitis, is a lifelong form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The condition inflames and irritates the digestive tract — specifically the small and large intestines. Crohn’s disease can cause diarrhea and stomach cramps. It’s common to experience periodic disease flare-ups.
Crohn’s disease gets its name from American gastroenterologist Dr. Burrill Crohn (1884-1983). He was one of the first physicians to describe the illness in 1932. Ulcerative colitis is another commonly diagnosed IBD.
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An estimated half a million Americans have Crohn’s disease. This can include men, women and children.
Crohn’s disease typically appears in younger people – often in their late teens, 20s or early 30s. However, this condition can happen at any age. It’s equally common in men and women. Crohn’s disease can also be see in young children.
If you’re a cigarette smoker, your risk of Crohn’s disease might be higher than non-smokers.
Crohn’s disease can affect different sections of the digestive tract. Types of Crohn’s disease include:
There’s no known cause of Crohn’s disease. Certain factors may increase your risk of developing the condition, including:
People with Crohn’s disease can experience periods of severe symptoms (flare-ups) followed by periods of no or very mild symptoms (remission). Remission can last weeks or even years. There’s no way to predict when flare-ups will happen.
If you have Crohn’s disease, symptoms you might have can include:
Most people with Crohn’s first see a healthcare provider because of ongoing diarrhea, belly cramping or unexplained weight loss. If you have a child who has been experiencing the symptoms of Crohn’s disease, reach out to your pediatrician.
To find the cause of your symptoms, your healthcare provider may order one or more of these tests:
Treatment for Crohn’s disease varies depending on what’s causing your symptoms and how severe they are for you. In children, the goal in treatment is to induce remission (the time between symptom flare-ups), maintain remission and manage any complications of Crohn’s disease over time.
Your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of these treatments for Crohn's disease:
Crohn’s disease can lead to serious complications, including:
Women with Crohn’s disease can, and usually do, have normal pregnancies. Your healthcare provider may recommend trying to conceive while the disease is in remission. Flare-ups during pregnancy may increase the risk of:
There’s no way to prevent Crohn’s disease. These healthy lifestyle changes can ease symptoms and reduce flare-ups:
Most people with Crohn’s disease enjoy healthy, active lives. While there isn’t a cure for Crohn’s disease, treatments and lifestyle changes can keep the disease in remission and prevent complications.
Lifestyle changes can include changes to your diet. People with Crohn’s disease often need to adapt their diets so that they get enough calories each day. Lactose intolerance can also be an issue for those with Crohn’s disease. You may need to avoid certain dairy products if you find that you’re having issues with this dietary intolerance. You should also avoid smoking if you have Crohn’s disease. Smoking can only make your condition worse.
Your healthcare provider might recommend you receive preventative colonoscopies after you’re diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Talk to your provider about how often you should have colonoscopies and what your risks are for other medical conditions.
You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:
If you have Crohn’s disease, you may want to ask your healthcare provider:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Crohn’s disease flare-ups are unpredictable and can disrupt your daily life. Talk to your healthcare provider about the steps you can take to keep the disease in check. With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, you can manage symptoms, avoid complications and live an active life.
Visit our Butts & Guts Podcasts page to learn more about digestive conditions and treatment options from Cleveland Clinic experts.
The following organizations can provide more information about Crohn's disease:
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. IBD help Center.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/28/2020.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy