Crohn's Disease Health Center

A form of inflammatory bowl disease (IBD), Crohn's disease usually affects the intestines. However, it may occur anywhere from the mouth to the anus. It was named after Dr. Burrill B. Crohn who first reported the disease in 1932, along with other doctors.

Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disorder. This means that the body's immune system attacks healthy issue by mistake. Individuals who have Crohn's disease have chronic (ongoing) inflammation of the Gastrointestinal tract (GI tract).

This disease can affect the large intestine, small intestine, liver, rectum, or mouth. It also makes the intestinal wall thick.

There are different types of Crohn's disease depending on which part of the body is affected.

  • Ilecolitis: This is the most common form. It effects the ileum (end of the mall intestine) and the colon (large intestine).
  • Iletis: Crohn's disease only affecting the ileum (the end f the small intestine).
  • Gastroduodenal Crohn's disease: This form of Crohn's disease affects the stomach and the duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine).
  • Jejunoileitis: This type causes patchy areas of swelling in the jejumum (upper half of the small intestine).
  • Crohn's (granulomatous) colitis: This type only affects the colon.

People with Crohn's disease have a higher risk of getting small bowl and colon cancer.

Crohn's disease may also be called Regional enteritis, Ileitis, and Granulomatous ileoclotitis.

Review Date: 
June 27, 2012
Last Updated:
June 2, 2014
Source:
dailyrx.com