Crohn's disease is one form of an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is a disease in which the immune system attacks the microbiota of the gut, causing inflammation. The exact cause of the disease is not fully understood, but it is believed to be linked to both genetic and environmental factors. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the GI tract but the most common symptoms are chronic diarrhoea, abdominal pain and blood and mucus in the stools.
As it is a chronic condition, the aim of most treatment is to reach and maintain a state of remision - that is to express a reduced set of symptons, or none at all, over a period of time.
There are several risk factors that are associated with Crohn's disease. It is thought that living in urbanalized areas along with smoking and taking certain non-sterodal anti-inflammatory medications can lead to an increased chance of aquiring the disease. Family history and ethnicity also play an important role. Crohn's disease is thought to possibly be hereditary and white people originating from Europe or the United States are thought to have the hishest risk. It also appears to be more common for women to aquire the disease over men. 