Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and commonly affects the small and large intestines. It can develop at any age, is more likely in individuals in their twenties, and may lead to serious complications such as colon cancer and intestinal obstructions.

The main symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea (which can be bloody), abdominal pain and cramping, and unexplained weight loss. Additional signs may involve nausea, reduced appetite, joint or eye pain, fatigue, anemia, and fever.

Crohn's disease is diagnosed by a gastroenterologist through a combination of medical history, physical exams, and various tests, including blood tests, stool tests, endoscopies, and imaging tests like CT scans. These methods help assess symptoms and rule out other conditions.

Crohn's disease is managed via long-term care from a gastroenterologist and medications that suppress the immune system or reduce inflammation; TNF-alpha inhibitors are a notable class of drugs for this condition. Additional treatments may include antidiarrheal medications, antibiotics, dietary modifications, and in severe cases, surgery or nutritional support through enteral feeding or intravenous delivery.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have been studied for Crohn's disease but are more effective in ulcerative colitis. Additionally, resveratrol may improve gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life, whereas Boswellia shows potential in reducing disease activity to a degree comparable to mesalazine, though further evidence is needed.

No specific dietary interventions are recommended for Crohn's disease, although certain diets like the specific carbohydrate diet and Mediterranean diet have shown similar remission rates, and the autoimmune protocol diet may improve quality of life. Additionally, although a low-FODMAP diet may alleviate some gastrointestinal symptoms, it does not affect disease activity, and people with Crohn's may require supplemental vitamins due to potential deficiencies.

Fecal microbiota transplants may help induce remission in Crohn's disease, but additional controlled trials are needed to confirm their effectiveness. Additionally, mindfulness exercises, cognitive behavioral therapy, regular exercise, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy have shown potential benefits, though many studies on these treatments have design flaws that limit their reliability.

The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown, but it may involve an autoimmune reaction that is influenced by gut microbes and genetics. Factors such as a Western diet, smoking, and certain medications can increase the risk, wheras a diet that is rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and fish may reduce it.