Crohn's disease

The definition of Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease in the small intestine and colon that causes the intestines to become thicker.

Facts About Crohn's Disease

Symptoms - Abdominal pain and cramps, nausea, diarrhea, fever, blood in the stool, loss of appetite, weight loss, arthritis, skin disorders, fatigue
Potential complications - Ulcers, malnutrition, colon cancer, obstructions, bleeding, perforations, and the development of fistulas (abnormal connections between sections of the intestine)
Risk factors - age (most people develop Crohn’s disease between the ages of 20 and 30), heredity, smoking, urban environment, colder climate, medications (such as Accutane)
Treatments - anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs to suppress the immune system, antibiotics, anti-diarrhea medicine, laxatives, pain relievers, iron supplements, vitamins, and calcium.
Surgery - may be required to remove damaged sections of the colon, remove scar tissue, or close fistulas.

(noun)

An example of Crohn's disease is a chronic intestinal disease that causes diarrhea, nausea and cramping.

See Crohn's disease in Webster's New World College Dictionary

chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, esp. of the lower small intestine and colon, which may develop thick scars

Origin: after B. B. Crohn (1884-1983), U.S. physician, coauthor of an article about the disease (1932)

See Crohn's disease in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Ileitis involving the terminal portion of the ileum and characterized by abdominal pain, ulceration, and fibrous tissue buildup.

Origin:

Origin: After Burrill Bernard Crohn (1884-1983), American physician

Learn more about Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease medical definition