What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease or IBD.

Crohn’s can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus but commonly involves the last part of the small intestine, or terminal ileum, and the colon. Crohn’s tends to involve deeper layers of the gut which gives it the unique potential to forms fistulas, a form of the disease that burrows through the lining of the gut. Fistulas can occur anywhere in the gut in Crohn’s disease but often occur around the anus (peri-anal fistula). Abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue and a change in bowel habits are the most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease.