Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract, specifically the bowels. People with Crohns’ disease often experience periods of severe symptoms followed by periods of remission. These time periods can last for days, weeks, months or years. Depending on where the disease is located in the bowel and its severity, symptoms can include:
- Chronic diarrhea, often bloody and containing mucus or pus
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Abdominal pain and tenderness
- Rectal bleeding
The main treatment for Crohn’s disease is medicine to stop the inflammation in the intestine and to prevent flare-ups. Severe, long-lasting symptoms may require stronger medicine or surgery.