Crohn's can affect areas from the mouth to the anus. But it most commonly affects the end of the small intestine (ileum) where it links to the beginning of the colon.
Even though the reasons aren’t entirely understood, the impact of IBD is not always confined to the GI tract. Some people develop symptoms related to the disease in other parts of the body. These are just a few of the areas where extraintestinal (outside of the intestines) complications may be evident.
When it comes to Crohn’s, the more you know, the more you can take control. If you’ve been recently diagnosed, or are curious about the condition, watch the Crohn’s 101 video for useful insight into an unpredictable disease.
Want more quick facts? Download the basic guide: Crohn’s Disease 101
Ongoing inflammation of the GI tract happens with both Crohn’s and UC, but there are some key distinctions.
Learn about treatment options for Crohn's disease.
It’s important not to confuse an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—like Crohn’s or UC—with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a disorder that affects the muscle contractions of the bowel and is not characterized by intestinal inflammation, nor is it a chronic disease.
See the different symptoms and severities.
Find out how it may be a result of an interaction of factors.
Understand diagnosis and disease evaluation testing.
Find out how Crohn’s may get worse over time.
Understand your medication options.
Get everyday advice on how to manage Crohn’s.
There are so many ways to help yourself, so you need to be proactive.