Digestive system

• Crohn's disease


  One of a group of conditions where the digestive system becomes inflamed
• Crohn's disease


  • Chronic condition that cannot be cured
  • Has characteristics in common with other inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and COPD
• Causes of Crohn's disease


  • Genes
  • Immune system attacking the gut, possibly targeting bacterial antigens
  • Smoking
  • Previous gut infection
• There is no evidence that any particular type of diet causes Crohn's disease
• Some people find their diet has little or no effect on Crohn's disease symptoms, whereas others find certain foods can cause flare-ups
• Impact of Crohn's disease


  • Imbalance in the microbiome (the population of gut bacteria)
• Symptoms of Crohn's disease

  • Diarrhoea, particularly sudden onset
  • Stomach aches and cramps, particularly in the lower right abdomen
  • Blood in the faeces
  • Tiredness and weight loss
• In more severe cases, inflammation can cause an obstruction of the bowel
• People with Crohn's disease are at higher risk of developing bowel cancer
• Crohn's disease is linked to mental health disorders including depression and anxiety
• How common treatments relieve Crohn's disease symptoms

  1. Steroids reduce inflammation in the gut

  2. Immunosuppressants can be used if steroids are not effective

  3. Changes to diet might help control symptoms

  4. Biological medicines like monoclonal antibodies that block TNF-a

  5. Surgery to remove inflamed section of bowel
• If treatment with medicines does not work, surgery is an option