WHAT IS
CROHN’S
DISEASE?

Understanding Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can affect any part of the GI tract from mouth to anus.

What Causes Crohn’s Disease?

The exact causes of Crohn’s disease aren’t fully known, but research suggests that genetics, the environment, or an overactive immune system contribute to it.

Crohn’s Disease Progression

Crohn’s is a progressive disease, meaning it can get worse over time. Excess inflammation can spread into the deeper layers of the intestinal lining and may lead to further complications.

 

That’s why it’s important to take action and work with your doctor to recognize the signs.

Team Up With Your Doctor to Discuss Treatment Goals

Certain treatments can help visibly improve the damage of the intestinal lining (also known as endoscopic improvement) caused by Crohn's disease. Make sure this is included along with symptom relief and remission as part of your treatment goals discussion with your gastroenterologist.

Watch the video to find out more about visibly improving intestinal damage. 

What Can Cause Crohn’s Symptoms

The digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, eliminating waste—these are all essential functions of the GI tract. 

 

With Crohn’s, when the GI tract becomes inflamed, it’s not able to perform these functions optimally. This is why you experience Crohn’s symptoms.

Common Crohn’s Symptoms

  • Diarrhea
  • Cramping
  • Abdominal pain
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue

 

Common Crohn’s Symptoms

  • Diarrhea
  • Cramping
  • Abdominal pain
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the severity and location of Crohn’s inflammation.

They can also come on suddenly (flare) or you may even experience periods of having few or no symptoms (remission).

QUICK POLL

How long have you been dealing with Crohn’s disease symptoms?

0-3 years

Did you know there’s a treatment that may help you achieve your treatment goals?

See SKYRIZI Results

4-6 years

Did you know there’s a treatment that may help you achieve your treatment goals?

See SKYRIZI Results

7+ years

Did you know there’s a treatment that may help you achieve your treatment goals?

See SKYRIZI Results

Treatment Options for Crohn’s Disease

Types of Treatment

There are different types of treatment options depending on your symptoms and level of severity. Conventional treatments can include the use of medication, changes in diet and nutrition, and sometimes surgical procedures to improve or remove affected parts of your GI tract. Biologics work by targeting specific parts of the immune system that can contribute to the inflammation seen in Crohn’s.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of all available treatments and what treatment option may be right for you.

Common treatments for Crohn’s disease include:

A Biologic for Crohn’s Disease

SKYRIZI is the first treatment for Crohn’s that specifically targets the interleukin-23 (IL-23) protein, which is one of the key proteins responsible for inflammation. By targeting IL-23, SKYRIZI helps reduce the excess inflammation that can contribute to Crohn’s symptoms and intestinal lining damage.

Find a Gastro That’s Right for You

Looking for a gastroenterologist to answer your Crohn’s questions and help you with your treatment goals? Start here.

How SKYRIZI Works Video

endoscopic improvement

Visible improvement of the intestinal lining.