An inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract. It can lead to abdominal pain, malnutrition, severe diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. The inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease can affect different areas of the digestive tract in different people. Often, it spreads deep into the layers of the affected bowel tissue. Crohn’s disease can be painful and debilitating and can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications.

Although there is no known cure for Crohn’s disease, treatments in the form of therapies may greatly reduce the signs and symptoms and even bring about a long-term remission. With the help of treatment, many people suffering from Crohn’s disease are able to function well.

Symptoms
In some people suffering from Crohn’s disease, only the ileum (last segment of the small intestine) is affected. In others, the health condition is confined to the colon (part of the large intestine). The last part of the small intestine and the colon are the most common areas that are affected by Crohn’s disease.

The signs and symptoms of this health condition can range from mild to severe. Usually, they develop gradually, sometimes though they can come on suddenly, without a warning. There may also be periods of remission when there are no signs or symptoms of Crohn’s disease.

When the disease is active, the signs and symptoms may include:

• Diarrhea
• Pain or drainage near or around the anus because of inflammation from a tunnel into the skin (fistula)
• Fever
• Reduced appetite and weight loss
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Mouth sores
• Blood in stools

Other signs and symptoms
People suffering from severe Crohn’s disease may also experience:

• Inflammation of skin, joints, and eyes
• Delayed growth or sexual development (in children)
• Inflammation of the liver or bile ducts

When to see a doctor
One should see their doctor if they have persistent changes in their bowel habits or if they have any of the signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease like:

• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blood in the stool
• Unexplained fever that lasts for more than a day or two
• Continuous bouts of diarrhea that do not respond to over-the-counter (OTC) medications

Causes
The exact cause of Crohn’s disease still remains unknown. Earlier, diet and stress were suspected to cause Crohn’s disease, but now the doctors know that these factors may aggravate the condition, but they do not cause it. Several factors like heredity and a malfunctioning immune system likely play a role in the disease’s development.

• Immune system – It is possible that Crohn’s disease may be triggered by a virus or a bacterium. When the immune system tries to fight off the invading microorganism, an abnormal response of the immune system causes it to attack the cells in the digestive tract as well.
• Heredity – Crohn’s disease is more common in people who have a family member suffering from this disease. So, genes may play a role in making people more susceptible to this health condition. Though, most people with Crohn’s disease do not have a family history of the disease.