Brothers, sisters, sons and daughters are more likely to develop the disease. Also, certain genetic chromosome markers have been found in patients with Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease often involves the terminal ileum. which is located adjacent the appendix. This results in right-sided abdominal pain and tenderness mimicking appendicitis. The pain can also be cramp-like in nature, and may indicate obstruction of the bowel.
Diarrhea is also common.
This may due to partial bowel obstruction, excessive growth of bacteria in the small bowel, poor absorption of nutrients and bile acids as well as inflammation of the large intestine. It may contain blood. Approximately one third of patients with Crohn's disease have symptoms involving the anal area. As scarring and inflammation progresses it results in narrowing of the bowel. Obstruction may occur acutely by the eating a poorly digestible fruit or vegetables that plugs up the already narrowed segment of the intestine.