Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease causes gastrointestinal inflammation that results in pain, cramps and diarrhea. It can affect everyday life, impacting everything from the foods you eat to the jobs you perform. At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, we're here to help you find effective treatment that gives you relief from intestinal discomfort.

What is Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, resulting in pain, cramping and diarrhea. It most commonly affects the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. Long-lasting inflammation may cause scar tissue to form, causing food and stool to move through more slowly.

Crohn's disease often begins gradually and can become worse over time. Most people have periods when symptoms disappear that last for weeks or years.

What causes Crohn's disease?

Though doctors aren't sure what causes Crohn's disease, experts have a few suspicions.

Autoimmune reaction

One cause of Crohn's disease may be an autoimmune reaction, when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body. Experts think bacteria in your digestive tract can mistakenly trigger your immune system. This immune system response causes inflammation, leading to symptoms of Crohn's disease.

Genes

Crohn's disease sometimes runs in families. Research has shown that if you have a parent or sibling with Crohn's disease, you may be more likely to develop the disease.

Other influences

Other factors that may increase your chance of developing Crohn's disease include:

• Smoking, which may double your risk
• Stress
• Eating a high-fat diet
• Taking antibiotics, birth control pills or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen

What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease symptoms can vary for each person. Common symptoms include:

• Pain, often in the lower right area of the abdomen
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Rectal bleeding
• Anemia
• Eye redness or pain
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Joint pain or soreness
• Nausea or loss of appetite
• Red, tender bumps under the skin

Stress and poor diet may worsen these symptoms.

Crohn's disease diagnosis

A doctor will perform a physical exam and various tests to diagnose Crohn's disease, including:

• Blood test
• Stool sample
• Colonoscopy
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
• CT scans
• X-rays

Risk factors for Crohn's disease

Both men and women can get Crohn's disease, and it can run in families. Crohn's disease most commonly starts between the ages of 13 and 30.

Crohn's disease prevention

Treatment depends on where in the GI tract the disease is located, symptoms and past treatments. Treatment is intended to decrease inflammation and relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Treatment may include medicines, surgery or dietary modifications.