Disease or Syndrome
Crohn's disease
Crohn's dis·ease [ krohnz ]
Subclass of:
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Also called:
Granulomatous Ileitis; Granulomatous Ileocolitis; Regional enteritis; Regional ileitis
Definitions related to crohn disease:
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A chronic transmural inflammation that may involve any part of the DIGESTIVE TRACT from MOUTH to ANUS, mostly found in the ILEUM, the CECUM, and the COLON. In Crohn disease, the inflammation, extending through the intestinal wall from the MUCOSA to the serosa, is characteristically asymmetric and segmental. Epithelioid GRANULOMAS may be seen in some patients.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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A condition in which the gastrointestinal tract is inflamed over a long period of time. Regional enteritis usually affects the small intestine and colon. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and weight loss. Regional enteritis increases the risk of colorectal cancer and small intestine cancer. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic inflammation involving all layers of the intestinal wall, noncaseating granulomas affecting the intestinal wall and regional lymph nodes, and transmural fibrosis. Crohn disease most commonly involves the terminal ileum; the colon is the second most common site of involvement.NCIU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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(crohn's disease) A chronic disease that causes swelling of the digestive tract, pain, and diarrhea.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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(crohn's disease) A chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease of the intestines that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms. It primarily causes abdominal pain, diarrhea which may be bloody, vomiting, or weight loss, but may also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis, inflammation of the eye, tiredness, and lack of concentration. Crohn's disease is thought to be an autoimmune disease, in which the body's immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation.Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2025
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(crohn's disease) A chronic, transmural inflammation that can affect any location along the gastrointestinal tract.NICHD Pediatric TerminologyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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(crohn's disease) Gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic inflammatory infiltrates, fibrosis affecting all layers of the serosa, and development of noncaseating granulomas; most common site of involvement is the terminal ileum with the colon as the second most common.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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(crohn's disease) Crohn's disease is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that causes inflammation in your digestive tract. It can affect any part of your digestive tract, which runs from your mouth to your anus. But it usually affects your small intestine and the beginning of your large intestine. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis and microscopic colitis are other common types of IBD. The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. Researchers think that an autoimmune reaction may be one cause. An autoimmune reaction happens when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body. Genetics may also play a role, since Crohn's disease can run in families. Stress and eating certain foods don't cause the disease, but they can make your symptoms worse. There are certain factors that may raise your risk of Crohn's disease: Family history of the disease. Having a parent, child, or sibling with the disease puts you at higher risk.; Smoking. This may double your risk of developing Crohn's disease.; Certain medicines, such as antibiotics, birth-control pills, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen. These may slightly increase your chance of developing Crohn's.; A high-fat diet. This may also slightly increase your risk of Crohn's. The symptoms of Crohn's disease can vary, depending where and how severe your inflammation is. The most common symptoms include: Diarrhea; Cramping and pain in your abdomen; Weight loss. Some other possible symptoms are: Anemia, a condition in which you have fewer red blood cells than normal; Eye redness or pain; Fatigue; Fever; Joint pain or soreness; Nausea or loss of appetite; Skin changes that involve red, tender bumps under the skin. Stress and eating certain foods such as carbonated (fizzy) drinks and high-fiber foods may make some people's symptoms worse. Crohn's disease can cause other problems, including: Intestinal obstruction, a blockage in the intestine; Fistulas, abnormal connections between two parts inside of the body; Abscesses, pus-filled pockets of infection; Anal fissures, small tears in your anus that may cause itching, pain, or bleeding; Ulcers, open sores in your mouth, intestines, anus, or perineum; Malnutrition, when your body does not get the right amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it needs; Inflammation in other areas of your body, such as your joints, eyes, and skin. Your health care provider may use many tools to make a diagnosis: A medical history, which includes asking about your symptoms; A family history; A physical exam, including: Checking for bloating in your abdomen.; Listening to sounds within your abdomen using a stethoscope.; Tapping on your abdomen to check for tenderness and pain and to see if your liver or spleen is abnormal or enlarged.; Various tests, including: Blood and stool tests.; A colonoscopy.; An upper GI endoscopy, a procedure in which your provider uses a scope to look inside your mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.; Diagnostic imaging tests, such as a...MedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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Crohn disease is a chronic transmural inflammatory bowel disease that usually affects the distal ileum and colon but may occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abscesses, internal and external fistulas, and bowel obstruction may arise. Extraintestinal symptoms, particularly...Merck & Co., Inc., 2025
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Crohn disease is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory process that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus (see the image below). Individuals with this condition often experience periods of symptomatic relapse and remission.WebMD, 2025
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Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2025
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Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for conditions that cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Common signs and symptoms include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, and weight loss. Other general symptoms include feeling tired, nausea and loss of appetite, fever, and anemia....National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
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Crohn disease (CD) is a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by transmural inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. CD may involve any or all parts of the entire GI tract from mouth to perianal area, although it is usually seen in the terminal ileal and perianal locations. Unlike ulcerative colitis (UC), CD is characterized by...Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
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