Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that primarily affects the digestive tract. It is named after Dr. Burrill B. Crohn, who first described the condition in 1932. Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract, but it most commonly affects the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine (colon).

The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is still unknown, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. It is thought to involve an abnormal immune response, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy tissues in the digestive tract, causing inflammation.