Crohn’s Disease | Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract, with the small intestine and colon being the most commonly affected areas. Crohn’s disease persists throughout life and follows a pattern of relapses and periods of improvement. While the exact cause of inflammatory bowel disease remains unclear, evidence suggests it stems from an abnormal immune response in the gut triggered by environmental factors like drugs, toxins, infections, or gut microbes in individuals with certain genetic susceptibilities. Smokers have a higher risk of developing Crohn's disease than nonsmokers. To better manage Crohn's disease, try increasing fluid intake, eating smaller, more frequent meals, and maintaining a food diary to identify possible triggers.