Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease marked by swelling and inflammation of the digestive tract, specifically the small and large intestines. The disease gets its name from American gastroenterologist Dr. Burrill Crohn, who was one of the first physicians to describe the illness back in 1932. Crohn’s disease is similar to ulcerative colitis, but the two illnesses are not exactly the same.

Symptoms of Crohn’s disease

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation says living with Crohn’s disease can be stressful and overwhelming. There is no cure for the disease, the signs and symptoms of which can be extensive depending on which part of the GI tract is affected. The following are some symptoms associated with Crohn’s:

–persistent diarrhea

–rectal bleeding

–urgent need to move bowels

–abdominal cramps and pain

–sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation

–constipation and bowel obstruction

–fissures and fistulas

–intestinal stricture

These symptoms may lead to low energy, accidents that can make people feel embarrassed, weight loss, and loss of appetite. Additional health issues also may develop and affect other parts of the body beyond the digestive tract.

What causes it?

Doctors are not completely sure what causes Crohn’s disease. It may be an autoimmune reaction in which the body’s immune system mounts an attack on healthy cells in the body. The immune response causes widespread inflammation, states the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Genes also may be to blame, as Crohn’s disease sometimes runs in families. Research suggests that a person with a parent or sibling with Crohn’s disease may be more likely to develop the disease than those with no such connection. Smoking, eating a high-fat diet and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also may increase the risk of developing Crohn’s disease.

Additional risk factors

Crohn’s disease can occur at any age, but the Mayo Clinic says a person is likely to develop the condition when he or she is young. Most people with Crohn’s are diagnosed before age 30. The individuals with the highest risk of developing Crohn’s disease tend to be white, especially those of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish descent.

Diagnosis and treatment

Doctors will order blood tests as well as imaging, such as colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, to diagnose Crohn’s disease. Treatment depends on what’s causing symptoms, with the goal being to induce remission (time between symptom flare-ups), says the Cleveland Clinic. Corticosteroids, antibiotics, immunomodulators, biologics, and other medications may be used. Depending on the case, bowel rest also may be advised to give the intestines a chance to heal. This involves foregoing food and beverages for several days and relying on intravenous (parenteral) nutrition.

Crohn’s disease is estimated to affect half a million people in the United States, says the NIDDK. More information about CrohnÕs is available at niddk.nih.gov.