Crohn's disease

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Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice Tests and diagnosis

Complications Treatments and drugs Lifestyle and home remedies Coping and support Alternative medicine

Definition

Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a condition in which the lining of your digestive tract becomes inflamed, causing severe diarrhea and abdominal pain.  The inflammation often spreads deep into the layers of affected tissue. Like ulcerative colitis, another common IBD, Crohn's disease can be both painful and debilitating and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complication.

While there's no known medical cure for Crohn's disease, therapies can greatly reduce the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease and even bring about a long-term remission. With these therapies, many people afflicted with Crohn's disease are able to function normally in their everyday lives.

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Symptoms

MAYO CLINIC SERVICES

• Crohn's disease treatment at Mayo Clinic

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MayoClinic.com Bookstore

• 'Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health,' Second Edition (Softcover)