Crohn's disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic disorder that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, most commonly at the end of the small intestine (the ileum) and beginning of the large intestine (the colon).

People with Crohn’s disease may suffer all of their lives, experiencing an ongoing cycle of “flare-up” and remission.

Together with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease belongs to the group of illnesses called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Who is affected?

Crohn’s disease usually affects young people between the ages of 15 and 35, with approximately half a million people affected in Europe alone. The disease tends to run in families, with studies showing that 20 to 25 percent of patients with Crohn’s disease have a close relative with either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

There is also a geographical north-south divide with higher incidence reported in Northern Europe and North America compared to Southern Europe and Asia.

What causes Crohn’s Disease?

There is still some uncertainty about what causes Crohn’s disease.  A number of genetic and environmental factors are associated with the disease but their role is not clear. However, the disease is thought to be an abnormal response by the body’s immune system to bacteria found in the intestines.  Many scientists now believe that the interaction of an outside agent (bacterium or virus) with the immune system may actually trigger an attack on the lining of the intestines causing chronic inflammation and ultimately ulcerations and bowel injury.

Symptoms and Associated Conditions

The most common symptoms reported by Crohn’s patients include:

• Diarrhoea
• Fever
• Nausea
• Abdominal pains
• Severe weight loss

These debilitating symptoms may be accompanied by depression as Crohn’s disease can have a significant impact on the quality of a patient’s life.