Most commonly, Crohn's affects your small intestine and the beginning of your large intestine. However, the disease can affect any part of your digestive tract, from your mouth to your anus. Learn more about your digestive system and how it works.
Crohn's disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system. Inflammation can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the back passage. But it mostly occurs in the last section of the small intestine (ileum) or the large intestine (colon).
An intestinal obstruction is the most common complication of Crohn's disease. An obstruction usually results when a buildup of scar tissue narrows a section of the colon, making it difficult for the stool to pass. Doctors call these narrowed passages “strictures.”
The pain that Crohn's patients feel tends to be crampy. It often appears in the lower right abdomen but can happen anywhere along the digestive tract. “It depends on where that inflammatory process is happening,” says Nana Bernasko, DNP, gastroenterology expert with the American Gastroenterological Association.
It may go undiagnosed for years, because symptoms usually develop gradually and it doesn't always affect the same part of the intestine. Other diseases can have the same symptoms as Crohn's disease. But doctors can diagnose Crohn's by doing a test that looks at the inside of the intestine and doing a biopsy.
In most cases, IBD-related mortality is a consequence of cardiovascular disease, malignancies, infections, postoperative complications, gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases, and pulmonary disease.
Who is Affected? Nearly 1 in 100 Americans are diagnosed with IBD. Men and women are equally likely to be affected by Crohn's disease. The disease can occur at any age, but Crohn's disease is most often diagnosed in adolescents and adults between the ages of 20 and 30.
People with Crohn's disease experience flare-ups, during which symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, fever, fatigue, and joint pain are active. Flares can be triggered by factors like dietary changes, new medications, antibiotic use, stress, or infections.
Does Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis get worse with age? Both conditions can change as you age, but not necessarily for the worse. For some people, their condition may improve over time due to a treatment plan that works for them. For others, it may worsen or stay the same.
Understanding Stress and Anxiety in IBD While stress and anxiety has not been shown to cause Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, they can certainly have an impact on your disease.
Calming techniques like deep breathing or meditation may help you relax. Make sure you get enough exercise and sleep, too. And set limits on how much you take on. That way, you won't have too much to do when a flare hits and you don't feel well.
Clinical practice guidelines recommend that people with IBD avoid caffeine1, though there is very little specific evidence that links caffeine to causing or worsening IBD symptoms. Some people choose to avoid it due to some of the side effects it can have which may affect their IBD.
To help your body digest fibrous foods during a flare, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF) recommends avoiding the skins of fruits and vegetables; raw produce, especially cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower; and high-fiber whole grains, and opt for low-fiber fruits such as bananas and melons.
Gastroenterologists almost always recommend a colonoscopy to diagnose Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. This test provides live video images of the colon and rectum and enables the doctor to examine the intestinal lining for inflammation, ulcers, and other signs of IBD.
A Crohn's flare usually involves diarrhea, often with mucus and sometimes with blood. Many people also have low-grade fevers. Other symptoms, which range from mild to severe, may include: Abdominal pain or cramps.