Types of Crohn’s disease

Crohn's disease is a long-term type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.

The types of Crohn's disease are usually identified by their location and symptoms:

Terminal ileal and ileocaecal

Terminal ileal Crohn's disease affects the ileum, the last part or end of the small intestine, also called the terminus. When the start of the large bowel is affected, this is called ileocaecal Crohn’s disease.

Pain is often experienced in the lower right side of the abdomen after eating. A person may experience diarrhoea and weight loss.

Small bowel

When Crohn's disease affects the small bowel, symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss and anaemia.

Colonic

The colon is also called the large intestine or large bowel, and this type of Crohn's disease may be referred to as Crohn’s colitis. Symptoms include blood-stained diarrhoea and frequent bowel movements.

Gastroduodenal

Gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease affects the upper part of the gut, including the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. Symptoms include pain similar to indigestion, nausea, weight loss and loss of appetite.

Perianal

Perianal Crohn’s disease affects in the anus (anal) area. Symptoms include fissures or tears in the anal canal lining, pain, bleeding, fever, skin tags, haemorrhoids, abscesses and fistulas.

Oral Crohn’s

In some cases Crohn’s disease affects the mouth, causing swollen lips and fissures in the mouth. Mouth ulcers are also common among people with Crohn's disease, but this does not necessarily indicate oral Crohn’s.