What Is Crohn's Disease? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Understanding Crohn's disease is the first step toward managing it with confidence.

About Crohn’s disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation anywhere along the digestive tract from mouth to anus. Because it affects everyone differently, symptoms and disease severity can vary from person to person.

Although there is currently no cure, having a treatment plan and ongoing care can help reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and support long-term health. Learn about your condition so you can make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Overview Causes of Crohn's disease

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Symptoms both within and outside of your gut

Common symptoms of Crohn's disease include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and an urgency to use the bathroom. Symptoms may come and go during periods of flare-ups and remission.

Some people may also experience joint pain, skin problems, eye inflammation, or other symptoms outside of the digestive tract. Keeping track of symptoms can help your doctor or healthcare professional monitor your condition.

Learn more Explore the GI Tract Guide

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Managing and treating a fistula

Learn about this complication in Crohn’s disease, and hear patient stories on how to manage them.

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Vanessa’s story

“I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at just 10 years old. Over the past 26 years, I’ve faced long hospitalizations, life-threatening complications, and the challenges of flares that required high-dose steroids and new treatments like Rinvoq and Tremfya. At 17, I nearly lost my life to severe bleeding, but I refused to let Crohn’s define me. Through the ups and downs—bullying, appearance changes, and the daily struggles of chronic illness—I kept pushing forward. I graduated high school, became a nurse, and recently earned my master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner.

My journey is proof that while Crohn’s is a lifelong diagnosis, it does not have to be a life sentence. I share my story to bring hope, break stigma, and remind others that even in the hardest moments, there is strength, resilience, and a future worth fighting for.”

Vanessa Machado
Living with Crohn’s disease

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Ostomy Tips and Resources

If you are living with or considering having an ostomy, these tips can help answer your questions.

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What is Crohn’s disease?: Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. It can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus, although it most commonly affects the small intestine and colon. Crohn’s disease symptoms often include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, bowel urgency, unintended weight loss, and digestive discomfort. Because inflammation can occur in patches and extend deep into the bowel wall, symptoms and severity can vary significantly from person to person.
Living with Crohn’s disease can affect more than digestion alone. Many people experience emotional stress, fatigue, anxiety about flares, or difficulty navigating school, work, travel, and daily routines. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation provides educational resources, and support programs, to help patients and caregivers better understand and manage life with IBD.
What causes Crohn’s disease?: The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is still unknown, but researchers believe it develops from a combination of genetics, immune system dysfunction, environmental triggers, and changes in the gut microbiome. In people with Crohn’s disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks parts of the digestive tract, leading to chronic inflammation
Researchers continue studying possible contributing factors such as family history, infections, smoking, stress, diet, antibiotic exposure, and environmental conditions. While no single factor has been identified as the direct cause, Crohn’s disease is understood to result from multiple influences working together over time.
How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed?: Diagnosing Crohn’s disease usually involves several different tests and evaluations because symptoms can overlap with other digestive conditions. Healthcare professionals may review medical history, symptoms, blood work, stool testing, imaging scans, and procedures such as colonoscopy or endoscopy to look for inflammation in the digestive tract.
For many people, the diagnostic process can feel frustrating or overwhelming, especially when symptoms have been present for months or years. Early diagnosis is important because ongoing inflammation can lead to complications if left untreated. Identifying Crohn’s disease earlier can help patients begin treatment sooner and better manage symptoms over time.
What happens during a Crohn’s disease flare?: A Crohn’s disease flare occurs when inflammation becomes more active and symptoms worsen. During a flare, people may experience increased abdominal pain, diarrhea, bowel urgency, fatigue, nausea, fever, or reduced appetite. Some flares can also trigger symptoms outside the digestive tract, including joint pain or skin issues.
Flares can sometimes feel unpredictable and emotionally exhausting, especially when symptoms interfere with work, school, sleep, or social activities. Learning to recognize symptom changes, identify triggers, and work closely with a healthcare professional can help patients better manage flare-ups and reduce their impact on daily life.
How does Crohn’s disease affect daily life?: Crohn’s disease can affect many parts of daily life beyond physical symptoms alone. People living with Crohn’s disease may need to manage unpredictable bathroom urgency, fatigue, dietary changes, medication schedules, and ongoing medical appointments. Symptoms can sometimes impact work, school, travel, relationships, and mental health.
Many patients also describe the emotional side of IBD as one of the hardest parts of the condition. Feelings of stress, embarrassment, anxiety, or isolation are common, particularly during flares or after a new diagnosis. Support groups, educational resources, healthcare professionals, and patient communities can help people feel more supported and connected while navigating life with Crohn’s disease.
What should I do if I think I have Crohn’s disease?: If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bowel urgency, fatigue, blood in the stool, or unexplained weight loss, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional. Persistent symptoms should not be ignored, especially if they continue for several weeks or interfere with daily activities.
A healthcare professional may recommend testing or refer you to a gastroenterologist for further evaluation. Getting answers early can help identify whether symptoms are related to Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or another digestive condition, and can help you begin appropriate treatment and support sooner.