Regional ileitis; Chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It tends to flare up for a few days at a time, causing diarrhea, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, weight loss, and mild fever. The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown, although stress may be a factor.
Crohn's disease may occur in any part of the digestive system but usually affects the small intestine. It is characterized by ulceration, abscess formation, small perforations, and the development of adhesions binding the loops of the small intestine. Affected segments of intestine may constrict, causing obstruction, or may perforate. It is treated by surgical removal of badly affected segments, and by corticosteroids. Mild cases respond to rest, bland diet, and drug treatment. Crohn's disease first occurs most often in adults aged 20–40.A serious chronic and progressive inflammation of the colon producing frequent bouts of diarrhea with abdominal pain and nausea and fever and weight loss; Also called: regional enteritis.