What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation anywhere along your digestive tract, from your mouth to your anus. Unlike ulcerative colitis, which only affects the colon, Crohn’s can affect any part of your digestive system and often affects multiple areas.

Crohn’s disease causes patchy areas of inflammation that go deep through the intestinal wall. This deep inflammation can lead to complications like strictures (narrowing of the intestines), fistulas (abnormal connections between organs), and abscesses (infected pockets).

The disease alternates between flares, when symptoms are active and inflammation worsens, and remission, when you experience few or no symptoms. During flares, you may experience severe abdominal pain, ongoing diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, and sometimes fever.

While the exact cause remains unknown, Crohn’s disease happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks your digestive tract. Genetics, environmental factors, and the bacteria in your gut all play a role.

Understanding Crohn’s Complications

Common Symptoms:

When should I seek treatment for Crohn’s disease?

You should schedule an appointment with Florida Digestive Specialists if you experience ongoing digestive symptoms, especially chronic diarrhea lasting more than two weeks, unexplained abdominal pain, blood in your stool, or unintended weight loss.

Many people delay seeking care because symptoms come and go or they attribute them to other causes. However, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing complications and permanent intestinal damage. Warning signs requiring immediate attention include severe abdominal pain, inability to pass gas or stool, persistent vomiting, or signs of infection like high fever.

Your risk of developing Crohn’s disease increases if you have a family history of IBD, though most people diagnosed have no family history. You should also seek evaluation if you experience symptoms outside your digestive system, such as joint pain, skin problems, or eye inflammation, as these can be related to Crohn’s disease.

What should I expect during Crohn’s disease diagnosis and treatment?

Your doctor will start by talking through your symptoms, medical history, and any family history of inflammatory bowel disease. A physical exam helps check for signs of inflammation or possible complications.

To confirm a diagnosis, you’ll likely need blood tests to look for anemia and inflammation, stool tests to rule out infection, and imaging such as a CT scan or MRI to see where the disease is affecting your digestive tract. A colonoscopy with biopsies is the most important test, as it allows your doctor to directly examine the lining of your intestines and confirm the diagnosis.

Once Crohn’s disease is diagnosed, treatment focuses on calming inflammation, relieving symptoms, and preventing flare-ups and complications. Many patients begin with medications that reduce inflammation to get symptoms under control.

If the disease is more advanced or symptoms don’t improve, your doctor may recommend immune-modifying medications, biologic therapies, or newer targeted treatments. These medications work on specific parts of the immune system to help bring the disease into remission and keep it there.

While most patients achieve good symptom control with medication, some may eventually require surgery to remove severely damaged intestinal segments or treat complications like strictures or fistulas. Your care team will review all options with you and coordinate surgical care if needed.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of Crohn’s disease or need expert IBD management, call Florida Digestive Specialists or book an appointment online.