Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract that is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis is another type of IBD that only affects the colon (large intestine).
There is no specific diet for patients who have Crohn’s disease, but there are certain foods that may be easier on the digestive tract when symptoms worsen (a flare), in patients who have narrowing of the intestines (strictures), or who have had recent surgery, such as the following foods in the table below.
| Type of Food | Examples |
|---|---|
| Low-fiber fruits |
|
| Lean protein |
|
|
Refined grains |
|
| Vegetables that are fully cooked, seedless, skinless, and non-cruciferous |
|
| Oral nutritional supplements |
|
| Drinks to stay hydrated |
|
When patients are in remission the best foods to eat include the following foods in the table below.
| Type of Food | Examples |
|---|---|
| Fiber-rich foods |
|
| Protein |
|
| Fruits and vegetables |
|
| Calcium-rich foods |
|
|
Foods with probiotics |
|
What Are Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease?
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease can differ depending on the type of Crohn’s and what part of the digestive tract is affected and may include:
- Diarrhea
- Cramping
- Pain in the middle or lower right part of the abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fistulas or inflammatory abscess (in severe cases)
- Rectal bleeding
- Disease around the anus
- Skin lesions and joint pain (most commonly seen in Crohn's granulomatous colitis
What Causes Crohn’s Disease?
The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. Risk factors that may contribute to the development of Crohn’s disease include:
- Genetic factors
- Tends to run in families
- Between 5% and 20% of people with IBD have a first-degree relative (parent, child, or sibling) who has IBD
- The risk is significantly higher if both parents have IBD
- Most common among people of eastern European descent
- Environmental factors
- Crohn’s disease is more common in:
- Developed countries
- Northern climates
- Urban cities and towns
- Crohn’s disease is more common in:
How Is Crohn’s Disease Diagnosed?
Crohn’s disease is diagnosed with a patient history and physical examination and certain tests to look for signs of Crohn’s disease and rule out other medical conditions such as:
- Blood tests
- Stool tests
- X-rays of the upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract
- Colonoscopy
- Upper endoscopy
- Small intestine imaging
- Fluoroscopic X-ray
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Biopsy
What Is the Treatment for Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is treated with a combination of medication, diet changes, and sometimes surgery.
Medications used to treat Crohn’s disease include:
- Aminosalicylates (5-ASA)
- Sulfasalazine
- Corticosteroids
- Immunomodulators
- Azathioprine
- Antibiotics
- Biologic/biosimilar therapies
Diet changes used to treat Crohn’s disease include:
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Consuming soft, bland foods during flares
- Avoiding spicy or high-fiber foods during flares
- Restricting dairy intake in patients who are lactose-intolerant
Surgery used to treat Crohn’s disease includes:
- Strictureplasty: repairs a narrowing (stricture) by widening the narrowed area without removing any portion of the intestine
- Proctocolectomy: removal of the colon and rectum
- Fistula removal
- Colectomy: removal of the colon
- Bowel resection: removes a portion of the small or large intestine damaged by Crohn’s disease
- Abscess drainage
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