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Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect any part of the digestive tract — most often the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the colon.

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Symptoms

  • Persistent diarrhea, often with abdominal cramping
  • Unintentional weight loss and fatigue
  • Abdominal pain, often in the lower right quadrant
  • Rectal bleeding, fistulas, or perianal disease
  • Extra-intestinal symptoms: joint pain, skin rashes, eye inflammation

Possible causes

  • Immune dysregulation in genetically predisposed individuals
  • Environmental triggers (smoking, dietary and microbial factors)
  • Family history of IBD increases risk

How we diagnose

  • Colonoscopy with biopsies
  • Cross-sectional imaging: MR enterography or CT enterography
  • Blood work and stool markers (fecal calprotectin)
  • Capsule endoscopy when small-bowel disease is suspected

Treatment options

  • Biologic therapies (anti-TNFs, anti-integrins, anti-IL-23s)
  • Small-molecule therapies (JAK inhibitors, S1P modulators)
  • Immunomodulators and corticosteroids for flares
  • Nutritional therapy, and surgery when indicated

Lifestyle & prevention

  • Structured monitoring even in remission — biomarkers, imaging, and endoscopy
  • Smoking cessation (smoking worsens Crohn's)
  • Vaccination review before starting immunosuppressants
  • Nutritional support and mental health resources