What Is Crohn's Disease?

Millions of people in America suffer from digestive problems, and while some have heard of the condition before, many may be wondering, "What is Crohn's disease?" In short, Crohn's disease is an inflammation of the intestine that commonly causes ulcers in the bowels. It is closely related to, and often experienced alongside, another disease called ulcerative colitis. When they two are experienced together, it is often referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

There is no cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, so it lies on the sufferer and their health care provider to create a plan to manage the symptoms that accompany these conditions. Crohn's disease often fluctuates between periods of activity and remission, and during active flare-ups it's important to make sure you closely monitor your symptoms and what possible causes could be.

Crohn's disease causes craters in the bowels that gradually become deeper and larger, eventually becoming ulcers. This causes the bowels to scar and stiffen, narrow over time, and even become obstructed. These ulcers can become so deep that they can breach the bowel wall and cause bacteria to spread and infect other organs.

When these craters make it completely through the bowel walls, it can create tunnels (called fistulas) between the bowel and nearby organs. A fistula that forms between the bowel and the bladder can cause frequent urinary tract infections, as well as feces and gas in the urine. Fistulas can also form between bowels and bodily organs, as well as empty cavities, and create pus-filled abscesses.