All You Need to Know About Crohn’s Disease

Have you or a loved one received a diagnosis of Chron’s disease? Although Crohn’s disease is incurable, you can ease your symptoms and prevent complications with medication, dietary and lifestyle changes and if needed, surgery. This article will help you understand what you need to know about Crohn’s disease to help you control flares (a period of active symptoms), prevent complications, and live an active life.

Know about Crohn’s disease: What is it?

Crohn’s is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes swelling and irritation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It’s a chronic disease that can affect the entire GI tract – from the mouth to the anus. However, it commonly affects the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. Additionally, the inflammation often spreads into deeper layers of the bowel.

Fortunately, Crohn’s disease isn’t fatal. In fact, people with Crohn’s disease can live just as long as people without it. However, it’s critical to manage your condition to prevent complications since Crohn’s can increase your risk of certain conditions (see below).

Experts estimate that over 750,000 people in US have Chron’s disease, with about 6-8 million cases in the world.

What causes Crohn’s disease?

Importantly, experts have not found a single cause of Crohn’s disease. However, Crohn’s disease is related to a dysfunctional immune response.

When you are healthy, your immune system destroys germs that enter your body, causing temporary inflammation. Once the threat is gone, your immune system calms and the inflammation disappears. However, with Crohn’s disease, your immune system may launch an inappropriate attack on bacteria normally found in your gut, causing intestinal inflammation.

Although Crohn’s can run in families, many people with Crohn’s have no family history of the disease.

Risk factors.

Risk factors include the following:

Age: Although you can get Crohn’s disease at any age, a large percentage of people receive a Crohn’s diagnosis between their late teens to their early 30s.

Genes: If you have a biological parent, sibling or other family member with Crohn’s, you may have an increased risk of Crohn’s. Importantly, several specific gene mutations (changes) can increase your risk.

Smoking: Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of Crohn’s disease. In fact, studies show that smoking doubles your risk and leads to more severe disease.

Appendectomy: Interestingly, studies suggest that people who have had appendix surgery may have an increased risk of Crohn’s. Importantly, do not avoid this life-saving surgery if you need it!

Where you live: People living in developed countries and urban areas have a higher risk than those who live in less developed countries and rural areas.

Stress: Your body’s response to stress may contribute to flares.

Know about Crohn’s disease: Symptoms and complications.

Your symptoms – which can range from mild to severe – may develop gradually or suddenly appear. Interestingly, some people experience ongoing symptoms, while for others, the symptoms come and go. Additionally, your symptoms can range from mild to painful and debilitating. Unfortunately, Crohn’s disease flare-ups are unpredictable and can disrupt your daily life. Importantly, the disease can lead to serious or life-threatening complications.

Common symptoms include:

• Diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Fatigue.
• Belly pain and cramping.
• Blood in the stool.
• Mouth sores.
• Loss of appetite, weight loss and malnutrition.
• Fistulas – pain or drainage near or around the anus due to inflammation from a tunnel forming in the skin.

Additionally, people with severe Crohn’s disease may experience these non-GI symptoms:

• Arthritis or joint pain.
• Rashes.
• Eye inflammation.
• Kidney stones.
• Osteoporosis (loss of bone mass).
• Skin tags (usually around your anus).

Crohn’s disease can also cause:

• Inflammation of the liver or bile ducts.
• Iron deficiency (anemia), which impacts 1 out of 3 Crohn’s patients.
• Delayed growth or sexual development, in children.

Crohn’s disease complications.

Know about Crohn’s disease: The diagnostic process.

Receiving a Crohn’s disease diagnosis can take time as its symptoms can resemble other digestive issues. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and family history. Additionally, your doctor will perform a physical examination to detect possible pain and/or swelling in your abdomen. Your doctor will likely perform a full-body exam to rule out other causes of your symptoms

Also, your doctor will likely order tests to:

• Confirm the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease.
• Discover the location and severity of any GI inflammation.
• Rule out other health problems that can cause similar symptoms, such as infections, irritable bowel syndrome, or ulcerative colitis.

Possible tests include blood tests, stool tests, endoscopy, and imaging (CT scan, MRI, and/or an upper GI series).

Questions for your doctor.

During this diagnostic process, consider asking these questions provided by Cleveland Clinic:

• What form of Crohn’s disease do I have?
• What’s the best treatment?
• How can I prevent flare-ups?
• Should I make any dietary changes?
• What medications should I avoid?
• Can my family members take steps to lower their risk of Crohn’s disease?

Know about Crohn’s disease vs. ulcerative colitis. What’s the difference?

As mentioned above, Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation anywhere in the GI tract. However, ulcerative colitis causes inflammation only in the colon. Additionally, ulcerative colitis causes inflammation in continuous areas of the colon, while patients with Crohn’s disease have inflamed areas mixed closely together with healthy tissue.

Lastly, the inflammation of Crohn’s disease may penetrate multiple layers of the bowel wall, which can lead to strictures (narrowing), fistulas (abnormal passages) and/or abscesses (pus-filled pockets). On the other hand, ulcerative colitis usually affects only the innermost lining of the colon.

Know about Crohn’s disease: Treatments.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease. However, a variety of therapies can make Crohn’s more manageable, but none that work for everyone. Importantly, speak with your doctor to find the right treatment for you.

Medications.

Medications can reduce inflammation and calm your immune response. Studies suggest that treating the inflammation likely improves the long-term outcomes of Crohn’s disease. In addition to medications to reduce inflammation, you may also take medications to manage specific symptoms, like pain and diarrhea.

Importantly, a study published in 2025 outlined new guidelines for treating Crohn’s disease which emphasize early use of higher-efficacy advanced therapies over step-up approaches. I suggest you talk to your doctor about these recent findings.

Medications may include the following:

• Steroids to calm inflammation in the short term.
• Immunosuppressants to calm your immune response.
• Biologics that target proteins that cause your immune system to have an excessively activated immune response.
• Small molecule advanced therapies to reduce the immune response.
• Antibiotics to treat complications.
• Antidiarrhea medication to stop severe diarrhea.
• Pain medication to help with pain related to Crohn’s disease.

Importantly, all medicines have risks and benefits. If your medication isn’t helping or causes unpleasant side effects, contact your doctor.

Nutrition.

Getting the right nutrition can improve your health and sometimes treat the disease in the short term. If you cannot get the nutrition you need, you may need to receive formula through a feeding tube.

Surgery.

Surgery cannot cure Crohn’s disease, but can treat complications. For instance, you may need surgery to remove intestinal perforations (holes), fistulas, strictures and blockages.

Know about Crohn’s disease: Stay on top of your medical care.

Since Crohn’s disease is chronic, you should expect regular appointments with your medical team. Health check-ups provide the opportunity to monitor your condition and reveal any issues promptly.

Importantly, use a doctor with whom you feel comfortable speaking freely about your potentially embarrassing symptoms and side effects.

Know when to seek medical care.

Ask your doctor which symptoms would require a phone call, in-person visit, or even a trip to the emergency room.

Although you should ask your doctor for his/her recommendations, Cleveland Clinic suggests you call your doctor if you experience:

• Blood in your stool.
• Constipation.
• Extreme weight loss.
• Fever.
• Inability to pass gas.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Severe abdominal pain.
• Signs of a flare-up.
• Uncontrollable diarrhea.
• Weakness or fatigue (which may be signs of anemia).

Know about Crohn’s disease: Managing daily life.

Ease your symptoms.

In addition to receiving regular medical care, you can ease your symptoms and reduce flare-ups by:

• Quitting smoking, which is the best thing you can do to reduce your risk of flare-ups and complications.
• Avoiding medications that can trigger flare-ups, including some types of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Ask your doctor for a list of medications to avoid.
• Avoiding foods that may trigger unwanted symptoms. Keeping a food journal can help you determine which foods and beverages irritate your condition. Choose low-fat foods and drink plenty of water. Additionally, you may benefit from avoiding caffeine and alcohol. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian for help with meal planning.
• Eating several small meals instead of fewer larger meals.

Care for your mental health.

Stress and anxiety are normal responses to a Crohn’s diagnosis. Ways to care for your mental health include:

• Getting enough rest and exercising regularly.
• Yoga, meditation, and/or deep breath breathing.
• Seeing a mental health provider.
• Joining a support group for Crohn’s patients. In these groups, you can exchange experiences and feelings and learn tips for managing symptoms. Additionally, connecting with others can minimize loneliness and fear. You may find a group at your hospital or in your local community. You may also find a group online or through Facebook.
• Work towards developing a positive attitude, which can feel difficult when dealing with Crohn’s disease. Try to be grateful for the positive things in your life.

Plan ahead.

To reduce the risk of uncomfortable and/or embarrassing situations, make sure you know the location of bathrooms in places you plan to visit.

Know about Chron’s disease: Support for family caregivers.

If you are a family caregiver for a loved one with Crohn’s disease, make sure you find time to focus on your own physical and emotional needs. Similar to Crohn’s patients, you may find a support group for caregivers helpful. Additionally, talking to a mental health professional may be beneficial.

I wrote this article in collaboration with Dr. Sepideh Nazari, a highly respected general physician in Dubai​ at Dr. A.K. Health Care Medical Center with over five years of medical experience. She holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree and DHA Eligibility, complemented by advanced training in aesthetic medicine, emergency medicine, IV therapy, and laboratory diagnostics. Dedicated to safe, patient-centered care, Dr. Sepideh is also a valued member of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the General Practitioners Association.