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OVERVIEW scroll .
Crohn's
disease is a chronic inflammation of the intestines. It most often
affects the lower part of the small intestine (ileum) or the large
intestine (colon). It can also affect both the ileum and colon or any
other part of the digestive tract. People with Crohn's disease may
experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and low-grade
fever. Inflammation
may be mild to severe and interrupt normal digestion and absorption of
foods. Periods of remission marked by few or no symptoms can alternate
with flare-ups. Crohn's disease occurs in about 150 out of 100,000 people in the United States, although the exact number of people affected isn’t known. The cause of Crohn's disease is uncertain, but abnormal genes and environmental influences likely play a role. Although there is no cure, medications and surgery help the majority people with Crohn's disease maintain an active, productive lifestyle.
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