Crohn's Disease: Crohn's disease (Crohn disease) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and is a chronic long-term inflammation of the digestive tract. The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. Symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, bloating, and infections of the urinary tract and vagina. Treatment for Crohn's disease includes lifestyle changes in diet, medication, and surgery.
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Abdominal Pain in Adults
Learn about causes, symptoms, and treatment of abdominal pain in adults and when to seek medical care for related conditions such as pancreatitis, diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and more. -
Anal Abscess
Anal abscesses include perirectal abscess and perianal abscess. Both types of abscesses need immediate medical attention. Causes of anal abscesses include individuals with medical conditions such as diabetes, AIDS/HIV, Crohn's disease, those on immune system suppressor drugs, pregnancy, STDs, and anal fissures. Symptoms of anal abscesses include pain in the anal area, pus drainage near the anus, fever, lower abdominal pain, painful bowel movements, fatigue, and night sweats. Treatment of anal abscesses is often surgery. -
Colitis
Colitis is an inflammation of the colon. There are many cause of colitis, infectious colitis (bacterial or viral), ischemic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), microscopic colitis (lymphocytic and collagenous), and chemical colitis. Symptoms of colitis are generally diarrhea (may be bloody) and abdominal pain and/or cramping. Treatment of colitis depends upon the cause. -
Colon Cancer
The human colon is a muscular, tube-shaped organ measuring about 4 feet long. It extends from the end of your small bowel to your anus. Most colon cancers start as adenomatous polyps that turn into adenocarcinomas. Colon cancer (bowel cancer) is typically diagnosed through a colonoscopy or other type of endoscopic procedures. Treatment methods include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. -
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is a procedure used to view the inside of the colon. Reasons for colonoscopy is to detect or diagnose diseases of the colon, for example, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, other types of colitis, colon polyps, colon cancer, diverticulitis, and other bowel and rectal diseases. Risks for colonoscopy include colon perforation, infection, or bleeding. -
Constipation in Adults
Constipation in adults refers to difficulty in passing stools or a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements. Causes of constipation in adults include a poor diet, excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption, inadequate fluid intake, poor bowel habits, certain medications, pregnancy, certain diseases or conditions, age, and more. Treatment for constipation include lifestyle changes, OTC remedies, and medication if necessary. -
Constipation in Children
Constipation in infants and children affects up to 10% of children at any given time. Causes of constipation in infants and children include a wilfulness to avoid the toilet, prior painful or frightening experiences that make them avoid the bathroom, a concern for lack of privacy in public restrooms, changes in diet, dehydration, and several medical disorders. Symptoms of constipation in infants and children include vague abdominal pain, vomiting, decreased appetite, urinary tract infections (UTIs), urinary incontinence, frequent urination, and bedwetting. Home remedies and self-care at home is possible with mild constipation, however, it may be necessary for the affected infant or child to see a pediatrician or other healthcare professional. -
Anatomy Involved in Crohn Disease
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and any part of the digestive tract can be involved (from the mouth to the anus). Symptoms of Crohn's disease include bloating, constipation, and pain or bleeding with a bowel movement (rectal bleeding). Crohn's disease can cause complications in the digestive system. Nutritional complications are common in people with Crohn's disease. -
Diet and Nutrition in Crohn Disease
People with Crohn's disease have many challenges, particularly their dietary and nutritional needs. Some foods may aggravate symptoms, while other foods may not cause problems. Malnutrition is a concern with people with Crohn's disease. Foods that may aggravate symptoms include high fiber foods like popcorn, nuts, and vegetables, alcohol, milk and other dairy products, spicy foods, fatty foods, and fried foods. Often, a parenteral nutrition (TPN) or elemental diet may be recommended to reduce symptoms of Crohn's disease. -
Crohn Disease FAQs
Crohn's disease (Crohn disease) is a chronic condition that is characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn's disease is considered an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and fever. Treatment options include diet changes, medication, and surgery. The prognosis for Crohn's disease depends on the patient and the areas affected by Crohn's disease. -
Crohn Disease in Children and Teens
Crohn's disease is an inflammation of the small intestine. Crohn's disease is also referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn's disease in children and teens generally develop symptoms before the age of 20. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, appetite loss, and slowed growth. Management of Crohn's disease in children and teens is possible with medication and lifestyle changes. -
Understanding Crohn Disease Medications
Crohn's disease medications prescribed for the treatment of the disease, and symptom relief include aspirin like anti-inflammatories, for example, mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa, Apriso, Lialda, Canasa, Rowasa), olsalazine (Dipentum), and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, EN-Tabs). Corticosteroids, for example, budesonide (Entocort), methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol), prednisolone (Delta-Cortef), and prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone). Immunosuppressants, for example, azathioprine (Imuran), 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol), and methotrexate (Folex). Biologic drugs, for example, infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), and certolimumab (Cimzia). Review the list of these drugs and their side effects. -
Living With Crohn Disease
Living with Crohn's disease can be stressful, depressing, and frustrating. Crohn's disease is not curable, but there are a variety of things that can improve the quality-of-life for people with the disease, for example, medications, lifestyle changes, diet, and surgery. -
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, parasites, intestinal diseases or conditions, reactions to medications, and food intolerance or allergies. Symptoms of diarrhea include watery stools, abdominal cramping, fever, and dehydration. Most cases of diarrhea can be treated at home. In some cases (in the elderly, small children, or those with severe or chronic medical conditions) may need to be hospitalized due to dehydration. -
Endoscopy in Crohn Disease
Crohn's disease can be diagnosed by a variety of procedures and tests such as endoscopy. There are several different names for endoscopy, and it depends on what part of the digestive tract being examined. Types of endoscopy include esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic ultrasound, and balloon endoscopy, or enteroscopy. Preparation for endoscopy depends on the type of test being performed. Signs and symptoms of diarrhea, weight loss, fever, anemia, decrease in appetite, nausea, and abdominal pain and cramping. -
Proctitis
Proctitis is an inflammation of the anus rectal lining. Symptoms include pain, bleeding, spasms during bowel movements, a feeling of being unable to empty the bowels completely. Treatment includes safe sex practices and antibiotics. -
Rectal Bleeding
Read about causes of rectal bleeding, including hemorrhoids, anal fissures, polyps, tumors, trauma, and inflammation of the bowel. Also learn when to see a doctor for medical treatment. -
Rectal Pain
Rectal pain occurs due to many causes, such anal fissures, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory bowel disease. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. -
Abdominal Pain in Children
Abdominal pain in children can range from trivial to life-threatening. Symptoms of abdominal pain range from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, groin pain, urinary problems, or skin rash. The location of the abdominal pain may be around the belly button, occurs only at night, while eating. The pain pain also may be intermittent. Treatment of abdominal pain in children is depends on the cause. Possible causes of abdominal pain in children include infections, food related (food allergy or food poisoning), poisoning from medication, food, household products, appendicitis, diabetes, or spider bites. -
Stool Color Changes
Stool color changes and textures to black, tarry, sticky, red, maroon, clay-colored, gray, pale, and yellow can have a variety of causes. Causes include hemorrhoids, pancreatitis, tumors, alcohol abuse, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, cancers, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticular bleeding due to diverticulitis, medication, changes in diet, and other conditions. Treatment of changes in stool color depend on the cause. -
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Most urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by E. coli. Symptoms and signs of a UTI include urinary urgency, frequent urination, burning urination, and cloudy or foul-smelling urine. Treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics. -
Vaginal Yeast Infections
Vaginal yeast infections (vaginal candidiasis, genital candidiasis, or vulvovaginal candidiasis) is a fungal or yeast infection. Symptoms include vaginal discharge, vaginal itching, painful or burning urination, and painful intercourse. There are a variety of causes of a vaginal yeast infection. Treatment is generally OTC vaginal yeast infection medication.
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Crohn's Disease Quiz FAQs MedicineNet doctors answer common frequently asked questions regarding Crohn's Disease.
Crohn's Disease Topic Guide - Visuals
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Crohn's Disease Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
InfliximabInfliximab is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and severe or disabling plaque psoriasis in adults.
...learn more »
SulfasalazineSulfasalazine is used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC), and to decrease the frequency of UC attacks. Sulfasalazine will not cure ulcerative colitis, ...learn more »
PrednisonePrednisone is a steroid that reduces inflammation in the body, and also suppresses your immune system...learn more »
PrednisolonePrednisolone is a steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation...learn more »
AzathioprineAzathioprine weakens your body's immune system, to help keep it from "rejecting" a transplanted organ such as a kidney. Organ rejection happens when the imm...learn more »
Crohn's Disease Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the membranes that line the colon. Symptoms of UC include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleedi...learn more »
Anatomy of the Digestive System
Digestion is the process in which food is broken into smaller pieces so the body can use them to build and nourish cells and provide energy. The digestive syste...learn more »
Understanding Vaginal Yeast Infection Medications
A vaginal yeast infection occurs when normal fungi in the vagina experience an overgrowth. Yeast infections can be caused by use of antibiotics, hormonal change...learn more »
Flatulence (Gas)
Flatulence (gas) is a normal bodily function. Excess gas may be produced by swallowing excess air, problems in the breakdown of undigested foods, lactose defi...learn more »
