Crohn’s Disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It usually involves the small intestine, most often the lower part called the ileum. However, in some cases, both the small and large intestine are affected. Inflammation may also affect the entire digestive tract, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, appendix, or anus.

Crohn's disease affects males and females equally. About 20 percent of people with Crohn's disease havea blood relative with some form ofinflammatory bowel disease.

The following are the most common symptoms of Crohn's disease. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), rectal bleeding, weight loss, fever, joint pain, rectal fissure and rashes.

At this time there is no cure for Crohn's disease, however, several methods are helpful in controlling it. The usual goals of treatment are to: correct nutritional deficiencies, control inflammation, relieve abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Treatment may include medication, diet modification and surgery.

Surgery for Crohn's disease is also performed when medical therapies fail. Sometimes patients with Crohn's disease will get a narrowing of their intestines called a "stricture". In some cases, the bowle is removed or widened. Particularly with Crohn's disease of the small intestine, bowel preserving surgery is emphasized.

Other areas of the gastrointestinal tract that are involved with Crohn's disease include the colon, rectum and anus. Anorectal problems are often initially treated surgically to drain infection. Once the infection is cleared, medical treatments are then started. We work in close conjunction with our medical colleagues since oftentimes a combination of surgical and medical procedures are needed in order to maximize a patient's therapy.

Center for Crohn's and Colitis at Brigham & Women's Hospital

For more information on Crohn’s Disease, click here