Chron’s disease is named after Dr. Burril B. Crohn, who first described this disease in the year 1932 along with his colleagues Dr. Leon Ginzburg and Dr. Gordon D. Oppenheimer. This disease belongs to a group of health conditions known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

It is important to note that Crohn’s disease is not the same as ulcerative colitis, which is another type of IBD. The symptoms of both these health conditions are quite similar, but the areas that get affected in the GI tract are different.

Commonly, Crohn’s disease affects the end of the ileum (small bowel) and the beginning of the colon, but it can affect any part of the GI tract, starting from the mouth to the anus. On the other hand, ulcerative colitis affects and is limited to the colon, also known as the large intestine.

Causes
The exact cause of the Crohn’s disease still remains unknown. Previously, it was suspected that diet and stress lead to this health condition. But doctors now know that these factors may aggravate this condition but not cause it. Numerous factors, such as heredity and a malfunctioning immune system, seem to play a role in the development of the Crohn’s disease.

• Immune system – It is possible that a virus or some bacterium can trigger Crohn’s disease. When the immune system tries to fight off the invading microorganism, an abnormal immune response causes the immune system to also attack the cells present in the digestive tract.
• Heredity – People who have family members suffering from Crohn’s disease are more likely to be affected by it. So, genes can play a role in making people more susceptible to this health condition. But most people suffering from Crohn’s disease don’t have a family history of this disease.

Risk factors

• Age – Crohn’s disease can affect any age, but one is more likely to develop the condition when they are young. Most people who develop Crohn’s disease get diagnosed before they are around 30 years old.
• Ethnicity – Although Crohn’s disease may affect any ethnic group, whites and people belonging to the Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish descent have the highest risk of developing it.
• Family history – One is at a higher risk of suffering from Crohn’s disease if they have a close relative, such as a parent, child, or a sibling, with it. As many as one in five people suffering from Crohn’s disease have a family member who is suffering from it.
• Smoking – The most important controllable risk factor associated with Crohn’s disease is cigarette smoking. Smoking cigarette leads to more severe disease and a greater risk of needing surgery. If one smokes, it is important for them to stop.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication – The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Mortin IB, others), diclofenac sodium (Voltaren), naproxen sodium (Aleve), and others do not cause Crohn’s disease, but they can lead to inflammation of the bowel, which can make the disease worse.
• Location – One is more likely to develop Crohn’s disease if they live in an urban area or in an industrialized country. This suggests that environmental factors like a diet high in fat or refined food may play a role in the development of Crohn’s disease.