Crohn’s Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Natural Approaches

As Crohn’s disease falls under the umbrella of inflammatory bowel disease, the prevalence is murky, but estimates suggest it may affect 1 million Americans.

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that involves "creeping fat" wrapping around parts of the intestines and inflammation that can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that involves "creeping fat" wrapping around parts of the intestines and inflammation that can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

Once considered a rare disorder mainly affecting those of European descent, Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that now affects an estimated 780,000 to 1 million people in the United States and has become a global issue affecting all ethnicities. For many, it is a chronic and debilitating condition.

Crohn’s disease often targets the last part of the small intestine but can affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus and cause issues in other parts of the body. The disease can penetrate deeply into the intestinal walls, leading to severe, life-threatening complications. The unpredictable cycles of flare-ups and remissions can drastically lower one’s quality of life, causing missed work, disability, and financial burdens.