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Crohn’s disease

  • The digestive system is made up of the digestive tract (the gut) and other organs that help your body break down and absorb food. It is a long, twisting tube that starts at the mouth and goes all the way to the anus.
  • There are currently 100,000 people in Australia with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis and this number is expected to rise into the future. 
  • Crohn’s disease is named after Dr Burrill B. Crohn who brought the disease into the limelight in 1932 after publishing an important research paper. 
  • More than 200 genes have been connected to inflammatory bowel disease. 
  • Up to 80% of people with Crohn’s disease will need surgery at some point in their lives. 
father and son at beach

About Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is a type of IBD that can cause inflammation anywhere in the digestive system. Inflammation can cause redness, swelling and pain, and is the body’s response to injury or irritation.

About Crohn’s
stomach pain

Crohn’s disease symptoms 

Symptoms of Crohn’s disease can be different for each person and can be serious or mild. Symptoms will depend on where inflammation appears in your gut. 

Symptoms
stomach model

Crohn’s disease diagnosis

Crohn’s disease can affect anyone at any stage in their life but symptoms usually appear in teenagers and young adults. 

DIAGNOSIS
medication

Crohn’s disease treatment

Crohn’s disease cannot be cured yet but it can be managed through medication, lifestyle choices and sometimes surgery. 

Treatment