Crohn Disease FAQs

• What Is Crohn Disease?
• What Is Inflammation?
• What Are the Symptoms of Crohn Disease?
• Are the Symptoms Permanent?
• Why Is Crohn Disease so Serious?
• What Causes Crohn Disease?
• Who Gets Crohn Disease?
• What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD?
• How Do I Know Whether I Have Crohn Disease?
• How Is Crohn Disease Diagnosed?
• Is There a Treatment for Crohn Disease?
• Will I Have To Have Surgery for Crohn Disease?
• If I Have Surgery, Will I Have To Wear a “Bag”?
• What Is the Outlook for Me?
• Is it Possible To Lead a “Normal” Life With Crohn Disease?
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

What Is Crohn Disease?

Crohn disease is a chronic disease of the digestive tract that is characterized by inflammation. It can affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus, but usually involves the small intestine (the duodenum, the jejunum, and especially the ileum) and/or the area around the anus. Although it is a potentially serious disease, many medications are now available to help patients' symptoms and reduce the development of complications.