Crohn's disease Dr Rob Hicks Crohn's disease is a long-term illness that causes inflammation in the gut. It can affect any part of the digestive system from the mouth to the anus, but most often the ileum (part of the small intestine) and colon.

In this article

What are the symptoms?

Who's affected?

What's the treatment?

Symptoms occur when part of the gut becomes inflamed. They may include:

• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Feeling generally unwell

If the colon is affected, there may be rectal bleeding or blood in the diarrhoea.

The condition tends to get better or worse sporadically.

Complications include malabsorption, causing anaemia or vitamin and mineral deficiency, anal abscesses, fistulas and intestinal obstruction.

Crohn's disease involving all or most of the colon for several years increases a person's risk of bowel cancer.

Those with Crohn's may also have ankylosing spondylitis, eye disorders (uveitis), kidney stones and erythema nodosum.

Between one in 1,000 and one in 1,500 people have Crohn's disease in the UK. The symptoms usually first appear between the ages of 15 and 40.

In Europe and North America, it most commonly affects Caucasians, particularly those of Jewish descent.

The precise cause of Crohn's is unknown. The condition can run in families and is three times more common in smokers. Not smoking may reduce the risk of developing the disease.

Treatments include anti-diarrhoea medication and painkillers, and medication (for example, corticosteroids) to reduce inflammation during attacks. Medication to suppress the immune system may be recommended to prevent recurrent attacks and antibiotics may be prescribed to treat infections.

Dietary supplements can be given to counteract malabsorption. Surgery may be necessary to remove diseased areas of the gut.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in January 2008