It was only up till recently that I heard about a horrible disease called Crohn's disease. I went my whole like not knowing that thousands of lives are affected by something I was ignorant to. Almost two decades of ignorance came to an end only four months ago when I found out that not one but two of my friends try to live everyday lives with it.

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation or ulceration of the digestive tract. It can affect any part of your digestive tract, but it is most common in the last part of the small intestine and the large intestine/colon. Crohn's disease affects the deepest layers of the lining of the digestive tract, causing deep sores called ulcers. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which affects the colon and rectum, are the most common types of inflammatory bowel disease, with ulcerative colitis being much more common.

The main symptoms of Crohn's disease include:

Abdominal pain - The pain often is described as cramping and intermittent, and the abdomen may be sore when touched. The pain may turn to a dull, constant ache as the condition progresses.

Diarrhea - Some people may have diarrhea 10 to 20 times per day. They may wake up at night and need to go to the bathroom. Crohn's disease may cause blood in stools, but not always.

Loss of appetite

Fever - In some severe cases, fever or other symptoms that affect the entire body may develop. A high fever may mean that you have a complication involving infection, such as an abscess.

Weight loss - Symptoms, such as diarrhea, can lead to weight loss.

Anemia - Some people with Crohn's disease develop anemia because of low iron levels caused by bloody stools or the intestinal inflammation itself.

Sores in the mouth

Nutritional deficiencies - Lowered levels of vitamin B12, folic acid, iron, and fat-soluble vitamins, because the intestines may not be able to absorb nutrients from food.

Bowel obstruction


Signs of disease in or around the anus.


Abnormal tunnels or openings called fistulas that sometimes form between organs. These develop because Crohn's disease causes inflammation and ulcers in the deep layers of the intestinal wall. Fistulas may form between parts of the intestine or between the intestine and another organ such as the bladder, vagina, or skin.

Pockets of infection/abscesses

Small tears in the anus

Skin tags that may resemble hemorrhoids. These are caused by inflamed skin


There is no known medical cure for Crohn's disease, unfortunately. However, therapies are available which can noticeably reduce symptoms and even bring about a long-term remission. There might be hope for future generations of Crohn's sufferers. Researchers just identified a gene that, when defective, can trigger the disease in some people. Doctors are hoping the discovery of this gene will lead to more effective treatments of Crohn's disease.

Seek the opinion of your doctor before following of any diet treatment and regiment. Only a doctor can provide you with advice on what is safe and most effective for you.