Crohn's Disease Resource Center

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.

What Is Crohn’s Disease?

What Is Crohn’s Disease?Medically Reviewed by Yuying Luo, MD | November 10, 2023

FAQ

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.

What are the first signs of Crohn's disease?

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.

What triggers Crohn's flare-ups?

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.

Is Crohn's disease hereditary?

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.

Can you live a normal life with 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.

Everyday Health’s team of board-certified physicians and health professionals contribute to the creation and review of content, ensuring that the information is useful, up to date, and accurate.

Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care ...

Crohn's Disease

How do you primarily manage your Crohn's disease?

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