Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and belongs to a group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel diseases, or IBD. It can affect any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus. While symptoms vary from patient to patient, Crohn’s disease can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, and fatigue. Some people may be symptom free most of their lives, while others can have severe chronic symptoms that never go away.

Among the most common symptoms caused by Crohn’s disease are persistent diarrhea, frequent and urgent need for bowel movement, abdominal cramping and rectal bleeding. It can affect an individual’s overall health and cause medical issues such as loss of appetite, low energy and fatigue, unexplained weight loss and/or pain and bleeding during bowel movements.

While Crohn’s disease cannot be cured, medications can be used to slow the progression. When these aren’t effective, a patient may require surgery.