Crohn's Disease

What causes Crohn's disease?

The cause is not known. About 3 in 20 people with Crohn's disease have a close relative who also has it. This means there may be some genetic factor. However, other factors such as a bacterium or virus (germ) may be involved. One theory is that a germ may trigger the immune system to cause inflammation in parts of the gut in people who are genetically prone to developing the disease.

Crohn's disease has become more common in recent years, but the reason for this is not known. It is about twice as common than average in smokers. Also, on average, smokers tend to have more severe disease than non-smokers. The oral contraceptive pill and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets (usually used for joint inflammation) have also been implicated as possible causes or triggers.

What are the symptoms during a flare-up of Crohn's disease?
Symptoms are due to inflammation in the wall of the affected parts of the gut. When the disease flares up, the inflammation may cause one or more of the following:

• Diarrhea is the most common first symptom. It can vary from mild to severe. The diarrhea may be mixed with mucus, pus or blood. An urgency to get to the toilet is common. A feeling of wanting to go to the toilet but with nothing to pass is also common (tenesmus).
• Pain occurs in about 7 in 10 cases. The site of the pain depends on which part of the gut is affected. The last part of the small intestine (ileum) is the most common site. Therefore, a common area of pain is the lower right side of the abdomen. When Crohn's disease first develops it is sometimes mistaken for appendicitis. The severity of pain can vary from person to person. Also, a sudden change or worsening of pain may indicate a complication (see below).
• Weight loss that is not intentional is another common symptom.
• Ulcers. An ulcer is a raw area of the lining of the gut which may bleed. You may see blood when you pass stools (motions or feces).
• Generally feeling unwell which may include loss of appetite, fever, and tiredness?
• Anemia may occur if you lose a lot of blood.
• Mouth ulcers are common.
• Anal fissures may occur. These are painful cracks in the skin of the anus. Skin tags (small fleshy wart-like lumps) may also appear around the anus.

Symptoms can vary and depend on which part or parts of the gut are affected. For example:

• You may not have diarrhea if the disease is just in the small intestine.
• A persistent pain in the abdomen without any other symptoms may be due to a small patch of Crohn's disease in the small intestine.
• A severe flare-up can make you generally very ill.
• If large parts of the gut are affected, you may not absorb food well, and you may become deficient in vitamins and other nutrients.

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For Crohn's Support, please contact the number above. To learn more about Crohn's, you can navigate around the site using the links below.

• Crohn's Disease
• Your Gut
• Affliction
• Symptoms
• Progression
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

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