What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is one of the two main types of irritable bowel disease, along with ulcerative colitis, and is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The disease was named after Dr. Burrill B. Crohn, who first discovered the condition in 1932. Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune system attacks tissues and cells in the body it perceives as foreign. In the case of Crohn’s disease, the body’s immune system attacks its digestive organs, including the intestines. Start reading now for all of the necessary information about what Crohn’s disease is, including symptoms and treatment.

Disease Basics

During the early stages of Crohn’s disease, small ulcerations are formed on the inner surface of the bowel walls. Over time, the erosions become deeper and larger, causing scarring and bowel stiffness. The bowel becomes increasingly narrow as the disease progresses and can eventually become obstructed. Crohn’s disease may result in deep ulcers that cause holes in the bowel wall in which bacterial infections can occur and spread to organs surrounding the abdominal cavity. This condition will disrupt the body’s ability to perform healthy functions such as digesting food, eliminating waste, and absorbing the required nutrition.

Continue reading for details on the common symptoms of Crohn’s disease.