Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is an illness where the part of your body that processes the food you eat becomes swollen or inflamed. Crohn’s disease can affect anywhere in that system. Most of the time, the swelling happens in the small and large intestines, which are below your stomach.

There isn’t anything you or your parents did to get the disease, so you don’t have to feel guilty about it. It is not contagious, which means it can’t be “caught” by someone else.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic (lifelong) illness, but it can often be treated with medicine. The disease might have times when it gets worse. But there also will be times when you feel better. Eating a healthy diet and getting enough food are important steps to help with your Crohn’s disease. Your care team will help you know what is right to eat.

There are lots of support systems ready to help you and your family. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) offers support and summer camps for children with Crohn’s disease.