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        Digestive Diseases
        Abdominal Adhesions
                Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Adults
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                Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Children
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                Anatomic Problems of the Lower GI Tract
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                Anorectal Malformations (Imperforate Anus)
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                Your Digestive System & How it Works
                Zollinger-Ellison SyndromeCrohn's Disease

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    Definition & Facts
    Crohn’s disease is a chronic, or long lasting, disease that causes inflammation and irritation in your digestive tract.
Young man sitting with stomach pain on bed in bedroom

    Symptoms & Causes
    The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are diarrhea, cramping and pain in your abdomen, and weight loss. Doctors aren’t sure what causes Crohn’s disease.


Diagnosis
    Doctors typically do not use a single test to diagnose Crohn’s disease. You may need a combination of tests. Your doctor will also ask you about your medical history and your family history and will perform a physical exam.

    Treatment
    Doctors treat Crohn’s disease with medicines, bowel rest, and surgery. The goal of treatment is to decrease the inflammation in your intestines, to prevent flare-ups of your symptoms, and to keep you in remission.


Eating, Diet, & Nutrition
    Good nutrition can help you manage Crohn’s disease. Changing your diet can help reduce symptoms. Depending on your symptoms or medicines, your doctor may recommend a specific diet, such as a diet that is high calorie, lactose free, or low fat.

    Clinical Trials
    The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.

    Related Diagnostic Tests
    Colonoscopy
    Upper GI Series
    Upper GI Endoscopy


Related Conditions & Diseases
    Ulcerative Colitis
    Microscopic Colitis


Your Digestive System & How it Works
    The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract-also called the digestive tract-and the liver, pancreas, and the gallbladder. The GI tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus.


Related Research
    See more about digestive diseases research at NIDDK.
        Last Reviewed November 2016

    

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