In this Article

• What is Crohn's disease?
• What causes Crohn's disease?
• How does Crohn's disease affect the intestines?
• How is Crohn's disease different from ulcerative colitis?
• What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease?
• What are the complications of Crohn's disease?
• How is Crohn's disease diagnosed?
• How is Crohn's disease treated?
• Antiinflammatory medications
• 5-ASA (mesalamine) oral medications
• 5-ASA rectal medications (Rowasa, Canasa)
• Corticosteroids
• Budesonide (Entocort EC)
• Antibiotics
• Summary of antiinflammatory medications
• Immuno-modulator medications
• Azathioprine (Imuran) and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP, Purinethol)
• Infliximab (Remicade)
• Adalimumab (Humira)
• Methotrexate
• Surgery in Crohn's disease
• General measures
• Conclusions
• Crohn's Disease At A Glance
• Crohn's Disease Glossary
• Crohn's Disease Index

What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease?

Common symptoms of Crohn's disease include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Less common symptoms include poor appetite, fever, night sweats, rectal pain, and rectal bleeding. The symptoms of Crohn's disease are dependent on the location, the extent, and the severity of the inflammation. The different subtypes of Crohn's disease and their symptoms are:

1. Crohn's colitis is inflammation that is confined to the colon. Abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea are the common symptoms. Anal fistulae and peri-rectal abscesses also can occur.

2. Crohn's enteritis refers to inflammation confined to the small intestine (the first part, called the jejunum or the second part, called the ileum). Involvement of the ileum alone is referred to as Crohn's ileitis. Abdominal pain and diarrhea are the common symptoms. Obstruction of the small intestine also can occur.

3. Crohn's terminal ileitis is inflammation that affects only the very end of the small intestine (terminal ileum), the part of the small intestine closest to the colon. Abdominal pain and diarrhea are the common symptoms. Small intestinal obstruction also can occur.

4. Crohn's entero-colitis and ileo-colitis are terms to describe inflammation that involve both the small intestine and the colon. Bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain are the common symptoms. Small intestinal obstruction also can occur.

Crohn's terminal ileitis and ileo-colitis are the most common types of Crohn's disease. (Ulcerative colitis frequently involves only the rectum or rectum and sigmoid colon at the distal end of the colon. These are called ulcerative proctitis and procto-sigmoiditis, respectively.)

Up to one third of patients with Crohn's disease may have one or more of the following conditions involving the anal area:

1. Swelling of the tissue of the anal sphincter, the muscle at the end of the colon that controls defecation.

2. Development of ulcers and fissures (long ulcers) within the anal sphincter. These ulcers and fissures can cause bleeding and pain with defecation.

3. Development of anal fistulae (abnormal tunnels) between the anus or rectum and the skin surrounding the anus). Mucous and pus may drain from the openings of the fistulae on the skin.

4. Development of peri-rectal abscesses (collections of pus in the anal and rectal area). Peri-rectal abscesses can cause fever, pain and tenderness around the anus.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Colonoscopy - Learn about the colonscopy procedure, what it is, why it is performed, preparation, complications, alternatives and the after effects of the screening exam on MedicineNet.com Source:MedicineNet CT Scan - CAT Scan / CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) information. Learn what a CAT Scan is, why it is performed, risks, and how to prepare for a CAT scan Source:MedicineNet Tuberculosis Skin Test (PPD Skin Test) - The tuberculosis skin test (also known as the tuberculin or PPD test) determines whether a person has developed an immune response to the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB). Learn how the test is administered, how a reading is obtained, and how the results are interpreted. Source:MedicineNet Read 179 more Crohn's Disease related articles ... Psoriasis Poses Danger for More Serious Complications Aggressive Therapy for Crohn's Disease Produces Better Outcomes Omega-3 Fatty Acids Won't Prevent Crohn's Relapse Scientists ID New Genetic Markers for Bowel Disease Amitiza Treats Irritable Bowel With Constipation Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Share Some Genetic Risk Factors FDA OKs New Crohn's Disease Drug Cimzia Measurements Poor for Assessing Clinical Trials With Children Health Tip: Controlling Crohn's Disease New Crohn's Disease Drug Shows Promise