The most common complication of Crohn's disease is blockage of the intestine. Blockage or stricture occurs when the disease thickens the bowel wall with swelling and scar tissue. The intestine passage becomes smaller and smaller, until it is completely closed. Fistulas are a common complication of this disease. Fistulas occur when ulcers in the intestine break through the intestine wall making tunnels into surrounding tissues of the bladder, vagina, or into the skin.
Fistulas occur frequently around the anus and rectum.
These fistulas can become infected and may result in abscess formation. Treatment programs are used to manage infected fistulas, but often surgery is needed. There are many different types of treatment plans that your doctor can prescribe to control the symptoms of IBD, and each of these has specific actions and side effects. Be sure to follow all of your doctor's directions. What you eat does not cause IBD, but can cause symptoms when the disease is active.