What it means
One of the two main kinds of inflammatory bowel diseasein-FLAM-uh-tor-ee BOW-ul dih-ZEEZA group of long-term diseases, mainly Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, in which the lining of the digestive tract becomes inflamed.Full entry . It most often affects the end of the small intestine and the colon, in patches with healthy bowel between them. Because the inflammation goes through the whole wall, it can cause narrowing, abscesses and fistulaFIS-choo-luhAn abnormal passage between two organs or vessels, or between an organ and the skin.Full entry . It comes in flares and quiet periods. It is named after Burrill Crohn, the American physician who described it in 1932.
For the nurse
During flares, track stools, weight, fluid and electrolytes, and pain. Many clients need vitamin B12, iron and other nutrition support. Teach that smoking makes it worse and that immune-suppressing drugs raise infection risk.
At a glance
| Spanish | enfermedad de Crohn |
|---|---|
| Also written | Crohn's disease, Crohn’s disease, Crohn's, Crohn’s, Crohn |
Easy to confuse with
ulcerative colitis
A long-term inflammatory bowel disease that affects the inner lining of the colon and rectum.
Related terms
inflammatory bowel disease
A group of long-term diseases, mainly Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, in which the lining of the digestive tract becomes inflamed.
irritable bowel syndrome
A long-term bowel condition with belly pain and changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation or both.
fistula
An abnormal passage between two organs or vessels, or between an organ and the skin.
ulcerative colitis
A long-term inflammatory bowel disease that affects the inner lining of the colon and rectum.