Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the digestive tract, often causing abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fatigue during flares. While the exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown, it may involve genetics, your immune system, and environmental factors like smoking.

Treatment options for Crohn's disease include medications such as anti-inflammatories and immunosuppressants, and in some cases, surgery.

Lifestyle factors like managing stress and maintaining a healthy diet that reduces exposure to triggers can also play a role in managing Crohn's disease flares.

Common Questions & Answers

Is Crohn's disease curable?

There is no cure for Crohn's disease, and the risk of flares is lifelong. However, various treatments, including medications to prevent flares and diarrhea, surgery, and lifestyle or diet adjustments, can help you manage symptoms and achieve extended remission.

Early symptoms vary but often include diarrhea, belly pain, unexpected weight loss, bleeding from the rectum, extreme tiredness, low levels of certain nutrients, and anxiety or depression. Mouth sores, joint pain, skin rashes, and eye redness also often occur.

Triggers vary but can include stress, certain foods (often including dairy, high-fiber foods, alcohol, spicy flavors, fatty foods, and soda), infections, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Smoking can also increase the risk of flares.

Genetics can play a role, as having a family history of IBD increases your risk. However, people don’t always pass the condition down to their children, and other environmental factors can contribute to Crohn’s disease.

Many people with Crohn's disease live full and active lives with the right management and treatment. Regular monitoring with a gastroenterologist to ensure you remain in remission and preventive exams such as colonoscopies may reduce the impact of Crohn’s on daily life and prevent further complications.

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Resources
  1. Crohn's disease. Mayo Clinic. June 20, 2023.
  2. Crohn’s Disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
  3. Diet and Nutrition. Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.

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