Crohn’s Disease: Your GoodRx Guide

The symptoms and complications of Crohn’s disease depend on which part of your GI tract is affected. There are five types of Crohn’s disease:

• Ileocolitis: Affects the large intestine and the end of the small intestine (ileum)

• Ileitis: Affects the small intestine (ileum)

• Jejunoileitis: Affects the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) 

• Gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease: Affects the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum)

• Crohn’s (granulomatous) colitis: Affects the large intestine

Crohn’s is also an autoimmune condition. This means that the body’s immune system attacks your own body. In Crohn’s disease, this autoimmune attack can cause inflammation and damage in any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract — from your mouth, to your anus.

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Causes

Just like with other autoimmune diseases, we don’t know exactly what causes Crohn’s. It’s possible that, in a person with certain genes, an environmental trigger might inappropriately “turn on” the immune system — causing it to attack and damage the GI tract.

At this point, more than 200 genes are associated with inflammatory bowel disease. We also know that genes play a role in Crohn’s disease, because it runs in families. It’s also more common in some racial and ethnic groups, like Jewish people and white people. 

It’s also possible that environmental exposures could influence who gets Crohn’s. Though there’s no proven cause, there is some evidence that Crohn’s is associated with:

• Eating a high-fat diet

• Smoking 

• Living in a city

• Taking lots of antibiotics as a child

• Using birth control pills

• Using NSAID medications (like ibuprofen)

• Changes in the gut microbiome

• Stress

• Viruses and other infections

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Symptoms

The symptoms of Crohn’s disease depend on which part of the GI tract is involved. They are often different for each person with the condition. 

Symptoms can be mild in some people and very serious in others. You can have periods of time where your symptoms flare (get worse). Other times, your symptoms might go away completely — which is called “being in remission.” 

Many people with Crohn's will have gut-related symptoms. Common symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea

• Urgent bowel movements

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Bloody stool

These symptoms — along with chronic gut inflammation and damage — can sometimes lead to weight loss, anemia (low red blood cells), and tiredness. Crohn’s can also cause growth problems in children.  

Crohn’s can also cause symptoms in other parts of your body. In some people, these symptoms actually appear first — before any GI symptoms. Examples include:

• Skin rashes

• Joint pain

• Eye pain

• Vision changes

• Mouth sores

• Joint swelling and pain

• Bone fractures

• Kidney stones

• Liver problems

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Diagnosis

You and your provider can work together to figure out whether you have Crohn’s disease. In most cases, your healthcare provider will start with an interview and physical exam. 

Your provider may also suggest additional tests that can help diagnose Crohn’s, including:

• Stool tests

• Blood tests

• Colonoscopy 

• Upper endoscopy

• CT scan

• MRI

• Ultrasound

If you are working with a primary care provider, they may suggest you see a specialist called a gastroenterologist. A gastroenterologist (or GI doctor) is a medical doctor with extra training and experience managing Crohn’s.

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Medications

There are many types of medications that can treat Crohn’s disease.  

The goal of medication is to:

• Prevent and treat symptom flares

• Help you achieve remission (be symptom free)

• Help you maintain remission (stay symptom free)

Medications can keep your immune system in check, reduce inflammation, and control your symptoms. The most common types of prescription medications are:

• Aminosalicylates: to decrease inflammation in the GI tract 

• Corticosteroids: to reduce inflammation, and keep your immune system under control 

• Immunomodulators: to control your body’s immune system response

• Biologic agents: to control inflammation in your body 

• Antibiotics: to treat infections that can occur when you have Crohn’s disease, like abscesses 

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can also help relieve symptoms, including: 

• Anti-diarrhea products

• Anti-gas products

• Digestive aids

• Pain relievers

Be sure to talk to your provider before trying any OTC remedies — especially if you are on other medications, or have another health condition.

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Treatments  

Crohn’s disease treatment depends on your symptoms, your overall health, and your quality of life. In some cases, medications may be enough to fully control your symptoms. But the truth is: At least two-thirds of people with Crohn’s will have surgery at least once during their lifetime. 

You may need to have surgery if you have severe symptoms, especially if your medication isn’t working. Other reasons for surgery include: 

• Abscesses

• Fistulas

• Strictures

• Bowel obstructions

People with Crohn’s also sometimes need to have part of their bowel removed. This is called a bowel resection. In a bowel resection, the damaged part of your GI tract is removed. A bowel resection is not a cure for Crohn’s, but it may help you stay symptom-free for many years.

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Living

Living with Crohn’s can be a challenge. It’s important to take steps to support your mental and physical health. Many people with Crohn’s disease find it’s helpful to:

• Build a strong support network

• Create a care team that you feel good about collaborating with

• Learn to advocate for yourself at your provider’s office

• Learn to manage stress

• Consider talk therapy

• Connect with others in the Crohn’s community

Nutrition is very important for people with Crohn’s disease — especially because your gut may have a hard time functioning well. Do what you can to make healthy eating choices, and to get the right essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Your healthcare provider may also suggest a specific eating plan (like low-fiber, or high-calorie) to help manage your symptoms.

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