Frequently Asked Questions

What causes Crohn's disease?

The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. However, research suggests that the body's defenses are operating against certain substances within the body or digestive tract. The foreign substances may cause the inflammation or may trigger the body's defenses to produce inflammation.

Who gets Crohn's disease?

It is estimated that up to 1.4 million Americans may be affected with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Of those people, 500,000 have Crohn's disease. Gastroenterologists diagnose Crohn's disease in men and women of all ages — including people in their seventies and eighties; however, the majority of cases are diagnosed before age 30 in men and women of Northern Europe and North America. Studies have shown that family history may play a role in the patterns of diagnosis of Crohn's disease. In fact, 20% to 25% of patients may have a close relative with IBD. However, while IBD tends to run in families, a clear heritable pattern has not been established.

How does Crohn's disease affect daily life?

People who have Crohn's disease are affected in different ways, depending on the severity of their individual cases. Although Crohn's is a serious, chronic disease, many patients respond well to treatment and live productive, active lives, even though they may be hospitalized from time to time, or require periodic medication to control symptoms.

What is the role of diet in Crohn's disease?

Depending on the severity of the disease, some patients need to restrict their diet all the time, others just some of the time, and still others may eat a normal, unrestricted diet. Avoiding a large number of foods can lead to disinterest in eating due to boredom, which can lead to reduced energy levels and subsequent weight loss. In general, people with Crohn's disease are advised to look to a variety of foods for essential nutrients, including protein, calories, vitamins (A, D, C, B-12, and folic acid), calcium, iron, and zinc. To ensure that your intake of these nutrients is sufficient, it's best to eat a variety of foods from the four basic food groups.

What kinds of tests will be performed to confirm a diagnosis of Crohn's disease?

A physician may suspect the presence of Crohn's disease when a person has some or all of the following symptoms: chronic or nightly diarrhea, abdominal pain, obstruction of the bowel, weight loss, night sweats, intestinal inflammation, fibrosis, or a fistula. After a physical exam is performed on the right lower quadrant of the abdomen and determining if there is any tenderness or inflammatory masses, a number of tests may be ordered to confirm a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. These tests include blood tests, radiologic examinations (X-ray, barium enema, upper gastrointestinal and small bowel follow-through, enteroclysis, computed tomography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging), stool tests, and endoscopic examinations (sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and upper endoscopy).

Is alternative medicine a viable option for people with Crohn's disease?

Alternative medicine, as an adjunct to traditional therapy, may be helpful to some patients. Alternative therapies include relaxation therapy, biofeedback, acupuncture, homeopathic remedies, and vitamin therapy.

Can I drink alcoholic beverages if I have Crohn's disease?

There is evidence that drinking alcohol can have an irritating effect on the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Since people with Crohn's disease already have problems with their gastrointestinal tracts, alcohol consumption may exacerbate some of the symptoms of the disease, which include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Alcohol use can cause malabsorption, another concern for people with Crohn's disease.

Do children get Crohn’s disease?

IBD is often diagnosed during young adulthood, but about 150,000 of the 1.4 million patients with IBD in the United States are among children under age 17. Pediatric Crohn’s disease presents unique challenges in that it can interfere with a child’s growth and development as well as school, social, and family life. Treatment for pediatric Crohn’s is similar to that of adult Crohn’s. However, a physician will determine the appropriate treatment for a child based on the child’s age, weight, and severity of illness and upon consultation with the child’s parents.

Even though I have Crohn's disease, what can I do to feel better emotionally?

Although Crohn's disease is a physical illness, the emotional aspects of this disease can affect a person's sense of well-being. And while evidence has shown that stress and emotional upset do not cause Crohn's disease, they can have an impact on the severity of its symptoms. There are some things that you can do to cope with your disease and emotionally feel better, including accepting the fact that you have your disease, continuing your daily routine as much as possible, following your gastroenterologist's suggestions and instructions, maintaining a positive attitude and outlook on life, and seeing a therapist if you feel one is needed.