Crohn’s Disease
A form of that causes irritation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It usually affects the lower (also called the ) or the , but it can also affect any part of the .
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About Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a disease that causes , or swelling, and irritation of any part of the —also called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The part most commonly affected is the end part of the , called the .
The GI tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus. The movement of muscles in the GI tract, along with the release of hormones and enzymes, allows for the digestion of food.
In Crohn’s disease, inflammation extends deep into the lining of the affected part of the GI tract. Swelling can cause pain and can make the intestine—also called the bowel—empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Chronic—or long-lasting—inflammation may produce scar tissue that builds up inside the intestine to create a stricture. A stricture is a narrowed passageway that can slow the movement of food through the intestine, causing pain or cramps…