About Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s Disease is named after Dr. Burrill B. Crohn who was the first to describe the symptoms. In 1932, Dr. Crohn and two colleagues, Dr. Leon Ginzburg and Dr. Gordon D. Oppenheimer, published a landmark paper describing the features of what is known today as Crohn's disease. Crohn's and a related disease, ulcerative colitis, are the two main disease categories that belong to a larger group of illnesses called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Studies have shown that about 20 to 25 percent of patients may have a close relative with either Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, so genetics are a factor, as are ethnicity and environment. And depending upon what part of the intestinal tract is inflamed, the symptoms and complications of Crohn's disease will differ.

Regardless of which type you may have, good nutrition is especially important in Crohn's disease because 1) the appetite is often reduced 2) chronic diseases tend to increase the caloric needs of the body 3) Crohn's is associated with diarrhea and poor absorption or dietary protein, fat, carbohydrates, and water.

All these symptoms rob the body of fluids, nutrients, and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Restoring and maintaining proper nutrition is a vital part of the medical management of Crohn's disease. Certain supplements including aloe vera and probiotics have also been shown to ease symptoms and aid healing.

Crohn’s Disease is manageable. For more information, visit The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.