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Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)

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Crohn's disease

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* Not a rare disease
Other Names for this Disease
  • Enteritis
  • Granulomatous colitis
  • Granulomatous enteritis
  • Ileitis
More Names
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Overview


Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for conditions that cause inflammation in the intestines. Common signs and symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea. Bleeding from the rectum, weight loss, joint pain, skin problems and fever may also occur. Other problems can include intestinal blockage and malnutrition. Crohn's disease can occur in people of all age groups but is most often diagnosed in young adults. The exact cause is unknown, but is thought to involve both genetic and environmental factors. It appears to run in some families. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and reducing inflammation, but some people require surgery. Quitting smoking can also improve the symptoms of Crohn’s disease.[1][2]


References

  1. Crohn's disease. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NIDDC). http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/index.htm. Accessed July 29, 2010.
  2. David B. Sachar, Aaron E. Walfish. Crohn's Disease. Merck Manuals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/digestive_disorders/inflammatory_bowel_diseases_ibd/crohns_disease.html?qt=&sc=&alt=. Accessed Octoer 15, 2012.
Your Questions Answered
by the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

4 question(s) from the public on Crohn's disease have been answered. See questions and answers. You can also submit a new question.
On this page

General Information

  • UC and Crohn's, a Web site for kids and teens with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease sponsored by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).
  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Crohn's disease. Click on the link to go to GHR and review the information.
  • MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. Click on the link to view this information. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library provides information on this condition. Click on the link to view the information.
  • The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), part of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), offers information on this condition. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.  Access to this database is free of charge.  Click on the link to read information on this topic.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Crohn's disease. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
  • The The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Crohn's disease. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources.