[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/11\/crohns-symptoms-causes-treatment\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/11\/crohns-symptoms-causes-treatment\/","headline":"Crohn’s Disease Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment","name":"Crohn’s Disease Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment","description":"Learn about Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease. Discover the symptoms and treatment options for Crohn's, including cutting-edge technology.","datePublished":"2014-11-08","dateModified":"2023-10-24","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","name":"Digestive Disorders","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/digestive-disorders\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/crohns-symptoms-causes-treatment.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/crohns-symptoms-causes-treatment.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/11\/crohns-symptoms-causes-treatment\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z"],"wordCount":523,"keywords":["Crohn's disease","ct scan","fever","IBD","inflammatory bowel disease","MRI","rash","surgery","ulcerative colitis","UPMC Digestive Health Care"],"articleBody":"Nearly 1.5 million Americans currently suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with an estimated 30,000 new cases each year. Many people don’t realize that IBD is a collection of chronic conditions that include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s disease differs from person to person, as do the symptoms. Some sufferers may have certain symptoms that others will not. Similarly, different foods may trigger a flare-up of Crohn’s disease. Each person should understand their trigger foods to learn how to cope with the illness and prevent flare-ups.What Is Crohn’s Disease?Crohn’s disease is a severe, chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can cause inflammation, ulcers, and bleeding in the digestive tract. While Crohn’s disease often affects the end portion of the small intestine, it can also affect any part of the digestive tract.The cause of this disease is not known, but like other inflammatory bowel diseases, it seems to run in families.Some research links Crohn’s disease to an overactive and inappropriate immune response to the bacteria that normally reside in the intestine, causing damage to the intestines.Symptoms of Crohn’s DiseaseCommon symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:DiarrheaAbdominal cramps and painRectal bleedingAnemiaWeight lossFatigue, weaknessNauseaFeverMouth soresSkin rashJoint painAbscesses in the abdomen and perianal areaDiagnosing Crohn’s Disease: What You Need to KnowTo diagnose Crohn’s disease, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.Tests may include:Blood testsStool examinationComputed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to identify abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract or internal organsColonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy to examine the lining of the colon and the small intestineUpper endoscopy\/enteroscopy to examine the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestineBiopsy to test a small sample of the gastrointestinal liningTreatment Options for Crohn’s DiseaseMedicinesMany types of medicines are available for treatment, such as:Aminosalicylate medicinesAntibiotics\/probioticsCorticosteroidsImmunomodulatorsTNF-inhibitorsOther biologic treatmentsDietary ChangesYour doctor may recommend that you avoid foods that provoke symptoms. Those foods are different for each person, but may include:Dairy foods (due to lactose intolerance)Highly seasoned foodsHigh fiber foodsSurgeryVery severe cases of Crohn’s disease may not improve with medicines and can even cause added complications such as:A narrowing of the intestinesA bowel obstructionFistula (abnormal connections between the intestine and other organs or tissue)In these cases, surgery to remove the diseased section of your intestine and join the two remaining healthier ends together may be an option.New Cutting-Edge TherapyGroundbreaking research from the UPMC Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, part of the UPMC Digestive Health Care, has shown that treating patients with very specific medicines following bowel resection surgery can keep Crohn’s disease from recurring.For more information about Crohn’s disease, visit the UPMC Digestive Health Care\u00a0online or call 1-866-4GASTRO (442-7876) to schedule an appointment.Editor's Note: This gallery was originally published on November 8, 2014, and was last reviewed on October 24, 2023."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"11","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/11\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Crohn’s Disease Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/11\/crohns-symptoms-causes-treatment\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]