Crohn's Disease
Understanding Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The exact cause of Crohn's disease is not known. Having one or more of certain genes may make someone more likely to develop Crohn's disease. It is also possible that bacteria, viruses or other environmental factors may trigger Crohn's disease. Diet and stress may aggravate, but don't cause, Crohn's disease. Risk factors for Crohn's disease may include family history, age (develops more commonly in people before around 30 years old), ethnicity (white people have the highest risk, especially people of Eastern European Ashkenazi Jewish descent), cigarette smoking, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, and others). Crohn's disease may lead to one or more complications, including bowel blockage or obstruction, ulcers anywhere in the digestive tract, fistulas (ulcers that extend completely through the intestinal wall), malnutrition, colon cancer, and other health problems.
Symptoms of Crohn's Disease
Symptoms of Crohn's disease typically include diarrhea, blood in the stool, fever, reduced appetite, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain and cramping, mouth sores and pain or drainage near or around the anus due to inflammation from a tunnel into the skin (fistula). People with very severe disease may also experience inflammation of the eyes, skin and joints, inflammation of the liver and bile ducts, kidney stones, iron deficiency (anemia) and delayed growth or sexual development in children.
Diagnosing Crohn's Disease
To diagnose Crohn's disease, it is common to undergo blood tests which include routine blood tests and fecal studies. Colonoscopy allows viewing of the entire colon using a thin, flexible, lighted tube with a camera at the end. During the procedure, small samples of tissue (biopsy) for laboratory analysis may be taken, which may help to make a diagnosis. Specialized tests include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scan.
Treatment of Crohn's disease
There is currently no cure for Crohn's disease, and there is no single treatment that works for everyone. However, there are several medicines used for treatment. Medications include corticosteroids, 5-aminosalicylates, immune suppressants (azathioprine [e.g., Imuran®], mercaptopurine, methotrexate) and biologic medications. Commonly used biologics include infliximab (e.g. Inflectra®, Remicade®), which is administered intravenously; Zymfentra®, a subcutaneous formulation of infliximab; ustekinumab (Stelara®), given intravenously for induction and subcutaneously for maintenance; and guselkumab (Tremfya®), which may be administered intravenously for induction or subcutaneously for both induction and maintenance.
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Last reviewed 12/16/2025
The information provided on this website is not medical advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with questions concerning a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking it based on information provided on this website.
