Crohn's Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2 Nov 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
Learn how Crohn's disease inflames the digestive tract from mouth to anus, plus its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and ways of coping with flares.
At a Glance
- 1 - During a flare, some people pass watery diarrhea ten to twenty times a day.
- 2 - Because the disease hampers nutrient absorption, a high-protein, high-calorie meal plan can help.
- 3 - If one identical twin has the disease, the other also has it in roughly 20 to 50 percent of cases.
- 4 - A close relative with the disease raises a person's own risk by roughly 3 to 20 times, and it appears more often in Ashkenazi Jews and smokers.
Topic Definition
- Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease, also called Crohn syndrome or regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can inflame any part of the gastrointestinal tract, anywhere from the mouth to the anus. Its exact cause is still unknown, but it is thought to arise when the immune system reacts abnormally to the ordinary bacteria living in the intestine, and genetics, smoking, and family background all appear to raise the risk. People with the condition often deal with abdominal pain, diarrhea that may carry blood, fever, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss, and because the inflammation can reach beyond the gut, it may also bring on joint pain, skin rashes, and inflammation of the eyes. Symptoms tend to come and go, ranging from mild to severe, with quiet stretches broken by flare-ups. There is no cure, so treatment centers on medication to control inflammation and, in severe cases, surgery, alongside healthy eating, exercise, and not smoking to help people feel their best.
Overview
Crohn's disease, also known as Crohn syndrome and regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus. Symptoms often include abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody if inflammation is severe), fever, and weight loss. Other complications may occur outside the gastrointestinal tract and include anemia, skin rashes, arthritis, inflammation of the eye, and tiredness.
Medical science does not know the causes of Crohn's disease at this time. It may develop when the person's immune system has an abnormal response to otherwise normal bacteria that are present in their intestine. Additional forms of viruses and bacteria may also contribute to causing this disease.
Crohn's disease may run in families; the chances of getting this disease are higher if another family member has it. Persons of Eastern European Jewish family background may have a higher potential of getting Crohn's disease. Smoking increases the risk of this disease as well.
Symptoms of Crohn's Disease
Symptoms depend on what part of the digestive tract is involved. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and can come and go with periods of flare-ups. The main symptoms of Crohn's disease are:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Watery diarrhea, which may be bloody
- Cramp pain in the abdomen (belly area)
- Feeling that you need to pass stools, even though your bowels are already empty. It may involve straining, pain, and cramping.
Other symptoms may include:
- Constipation
- Mouth ulcers
- Swollen gums
- Joint pain and swelling
- Sores or swelling in the eyes
- Rectal bleeding and bloody stools
- Tender, red bumps (nodules) under the skin which may turn into skin ulcers
- Draining of pus, mucus, or stools from around the rectum or anus (caused by something called a fistula)
Diarrhea and stomach pain are the main symptoms of Crohn's disease; the diarrhea may be accompanied by blood at times. Persons with Crohn's disease may experience diarrhea ten to twenty times per day. Unexplained weight loss is an additional sign of the disease. Less common symptoms include bowel blockages, mouth sores, anal tears, and openings between organs. Hormonal changes, infections, stress, and smoking can cause symptom flare-ups.
Persons with Crohn's disease may experience only mild symptoms, or long periods of time without symptoms. Some people who have Crohn's disease do experience severe, ongoing symptoms. Awareness of signs that Crohn's disease is worsening is important. If you have Crohn's disease and experience any of the following signs, you need to contact a doctor. These signs include feeling faint, having a fast or weak pulse, or experiencing severe stomach pain. Other signs that require a doctor's attention include fever, shaking chills, and repetitious vomiting.
Diagnosis of Crohn's Disease
The diagnostic process for Crohn's disease involves a physical examination, during which a doctor will ask about the symptoms the person has been experiencing. The doctor may order X-rays, as well as lab tests. The X-rays may involve Barium X-rays of the colon and small intestine. A doctor may order a Colonoscopy or a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy. The doctor may take a small sample of tissue, called a 'Biopsy,' to determine if the person has Crohn's disease or if it is another disease such as Cancer. The doctor may also order a Stool Analysis to look for signs of infection and blood in the person's stool.
Treatment of Crohn's Disease
Treatment of Crohn's disease is dependent on the symptoms the person is experiencing, as well as how bad the symptoms are. Medications are the most common form of treatment for Crohn's disease. Persons who are experiencing mild symptoms of the disease may even be treated with over-the-counter medications to stop diarrhea. It is always important to speak with a doctor before taking over-the-counter medications because they may cause side effects. Prescription medications may also be used to help control inflammation of the person's intestines, as well as to prevent Crohn's disease from causing other symptoms.
Prescription medications may also assist in the healing of damaged tissues; they may postpone the need for surgery as well.
For persons with Crohn's disease who have severe symptoms and for whom medications do not help, stronger treatments may be needed. Intravenous medications may be administered. Surgery to remove a portion of the person's intestine may be performed. Unfortunately, Crohn's disease often returns, even after such a surgery.
Coping with Crohn's Disease
Exercise, healthy foods, taking medications as ordered, and abstaining from smoking can help persons with Crohn's disease to feel better. Crohn's disease makes it more difficult for a person's body to absorb nutrients from the food they eat, so a meal plan focusing on high-protein, high-calorie foods can help them to receive enough nutrients.
Support from family members and friends can help with the stress of this disease.
Counseling is a helpful option as well. Some persons with inflammatory bowel diseases seek alternative treatments to improve their overall health.
While these forms of treatment have not been proven effective with Crohn's disease in particular, they may help persons with this disease to cope.
Alternative treatments may include consumption of supplements such as vitamins D and B12, and use of herbs like Aloe and Ginseng. Massage therapies have helped some persons with Crohn's disease.
Crohn's Disease Statistics
- Twin studies find that if one identical twin has the disease, the other also has it in roughly 20 to 50 percent of cases, far more often than in non-identical twins.
- Crohn's disease begins most commonly in people in their teens and 20s, and people in their 50s through to their 70s.
- New cases of Crohn's disease in Norway and the United States have been estimated at about 6 to 7 per 100,000 people a year. In the United States, about 2.39 million people, or 721 per 100,000, have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), according to a 2023 study in Gastroenterology.
- Crohn's disease is more common in northern countries, and with higher rates still in the northern areas of these countries. The incidence of Crohn's disease is thought to be similar in Europe, but lower in Asia and Africa. It also has a higher incidence in Ashkenazi Jews and smokers.
- Crohn's disease is rarely diagnosed in early childhood. It usually affects female children more severely than male children. However, only slightly more women than men have Crohn's disease. Parents, siblings, or children of people with Crohn's disease are 3 to 20 times more likely to develop the disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crohn's disease the same as ulcerative colitis?
Both are forms of inflammatory bowel disease, but Crohn's can affect any part of the digestive tract in patches, while ulcerative colitis is limited to the lining of the colon and rectum.
Is Crohn's disease contagious?
No, Crohn's disease is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person, since it involves an abnormal immune response rather than an infection passed by contact.
Can Crohn's disease be cured?
There is no cure for Crohn's disease, but medications can control inflammation and ease symptoms, and surgery may help in severe cases, though the disease often returns afterward.
What foods should be avoided with Crohn's disease?
Trigger foods vary by person, but many find that greasy, high-fiber, or spicy foods worsen symptoms during a flare, so keeping a food diary and consulting a doctor can help.
Does stress cause Crohn's disease?
Stress does not cause Crohn's disease, but it can trigger or worsen flare-ups, which is why managing stress through support, counseling, and healthy habits is often encouraged.
Can you live a normal life with Crohn's disease?
Many people with Crohn's disease lead full lives by managing symptoms with medication, diet, exercise, and not smoking, though the condition requires ongoing care and monitoring.
At what age is Crohn's disease usually diagnosed?
Crohn's disease most often begins in the teens and twenties, with a second common window between the fifties and seventies, and it is rarely diagnosed in early childhood.
What are biologic drugs for Crohn's disease?
Biologics are medicines made from living cells that block specific parts of the immune response driving inflammation, such as TNF. They are given by injection or infusion and are often used for moderate to severe disease.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team. Last updated: