What is Crohn's Disease?

There is a lot of confusion about what Crohn's disease is. The following information and the articles on this site will help clear up this confusion.

What Crohn's Disease Is Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can cause intense intestinal distress and can have potentially serious complications, such as fistulas and abscesses. Researchers don't know what causes Crohn's disease, but a number of theories are being studied. These include heredity, environment and immune response. Crohn's disease is a relatively rare disease affecting only an estimated 500 thousand Americans.

What Crohn's Disease Is Not Crohn's disease in not contagious, nor is it caused by stress or emotional distress. And, while diet can certainly have an effect on severity of symptoms, it is not in itself a cause of Crohn's.

About Crohn's Disease
Early symptoms of Crohn's can often be confused with other bowel diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome. As the disease progresses, however, symptoms become more pronounced and distinctive.

Crohn's Disease Treatment
Treatment for Crohn's disease can be complicated. A number of medications from anti-inflammatory drugs to immune system suppressants may be used. Surgery is used as a last measure, when medical treatment fails to control Crohn's symptoms.