Crohn's Disease
Medical Author:
Senthil Nachimuthu, MD, BS
Coauthor:
Paul Piccione, MD
Medical Editor:
Simmy Bank, MD, MB, ChB
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
BS Anand, MD
Crohn's Disease OverviewCrohn's (also spelled Crohn disease) disease is a chronic (slowly developing,
long-term) inflammation of the digestive tract. It can affect any part of
the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus but usually involves the terminal part of the small intestine, the beginning of the large intestine
(cecum), and the area around the anus. The inflammation causes uncomfortable and bothersome symptoms and may produce serious damage to the digestive tract.
The damage to the intestinal wall caused by the inflammation results in a wide variety of symptoms and complications.
In the United States, the incidence (number of new cases) and prevalence (number of people who have the disease) have increased steadily during the last 50 years.
Crohn's disease can be a debilitating illness. However, with medical treatment and other measures used to reduce the discomfort of flares, most people learn to cope with the condition. Almost everyone with Crohn's disease can live a normal life.
Crohn's Disease CausesThe exact cause of Crohn's disease remains unknown.
Viewer Comments & ReviewsCrohn Disease - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What symptoms did you experience with your Crohn disease? |
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Crohn's Disease
Endoscopy in Crohn's Disease »
Endoscopy in Crohn's Disease Overview
Unfortunately, there is no simple lab test that allows a definitive diagnosis of Crohn's disease. If you have symptoms suggesting inflammatory bowel disease, your primary care provider or gastroenterologist will probably recommend endoscopy (“scope”).
Endoscopy is a test in which a thin tube with a light and a tiny camera at the end is inserted into your digestive tract. The camera transmits pictures back to a video monitor, where they are magnified so your doctor can see exactly what the inside of your digestive tract looks like. The endoscope shows ulcers, bleeding, and other signs of Crohn's disease and indicates the location and extent of the disease within the digestive tract.
With endoscopy, your doctor can tell whether you have Cro...
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Crohn Disease »
Crohn disease is an idiopathic, chronic, transmural inflammatory process of the bowel that often leads to fibrosis and obstructive symptoms, which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the mouth to the anus.
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