Digestive Health Inflammatory Bowel Disease Crohn's Disease Is Crohn's Disease Genetic? By Elizabeth Pratt Elizabeth Pratt Elizabeth Pratt is a medical journalist based in Australia. She has a Master's degree in Health Communication and a Bachelor's degree in journalism. Learn about our editorial process Published on August 12, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH LinkedIn Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, where he is also a professor. He was the founding editor and co-editor in chief of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Risk Factors Inheriting Crohn's vs. Having a Predisposition Reducing Your Risk Outlook Frequently Asked Questions Crohn's disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the lining of the digestive tract resulting in abdominal pain and cramps, bloody stools, persistent diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss that can lead to malnutrition. The disease can affect any area of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly impacts the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. The disease can affect any area of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly impacts the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. More than 500,000 people in the United States have Crohn's disease. The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown, but researchers believe a combination of factors like an autoimmune reaction, genetics, and lifestyle factors may play a role. This article discusses the role genetics plays in Crohn's. hsyncoban / Getty Images Risk Factors To date, researchers are unsure exactly what causes Crohn's disease, but there are a number of risk factors that could contribute to it, including the following items. Genes Genetics is likely to play a role in Crohn's disease. Roughly 15% of people who live with Crohn's disease have an immediate family member who also has the disease. Genetic factors affecting Crohn's disease include: If both parents have IBD, either Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, their child is more likely to develop IBD.People of Eastern European heritage, particularly Ashkenazi Jews, are at high risk, with risk increasing among African American populations.Variations in certain genes, namely NOD2, IRGM, IL23R, and ATG16L1, can interfere with the ability of cells in the intestines to properly respond to bacteria, causing the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. Environment Environmental factors that cause Crohn's disease are still being studied, however, it is believed that there are certain factors related to the environment that may increase the risk of Crohn's disease. For example, Crohn's disease is more common in developed countries than in underdeveloped nations. It is also more common in urbanized areas than rural areas. This suggests issues related to sanitation and industrialization may play a role in the development of the disease. Crohn's is also more common in northern rather than southern climates. Immune system Researchers believe one possible cause of Crohn's disease is an autoimmune reaction—when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. This is believed to be triggered by bacteria in the digestive tract. The resulting immune response can cause inflammation throughout the gastrointestinal tract, causing the symptoms seen in Crohn's disease. Inheriting Crohn's vs. Having a Predisposition It is not clear whether Crohn's disease is an inherited (genetic) condition as a number of factors are involved in the development of the disease. What is known, however, is that if a family member has an autoimmune disorder—like Crohn's—other members of that family are at risk of developing the same disease or another kind of autoimmune disease. But this does not necessarily mean that if one family member has Crohn's disease, others will too. Risk factors If both parents have IBD (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis), the child is more likely to develop IBD. Crohn's is most common in people of Eastern European heritage, including Jews of European heritage. Crohn's and Black People There have been a higher number of cases of Crohn's reported in Black Americans than White Americans. Reducing Your Risk There is no way to prevent Crohn's disease, but the management of certain lifestyle factors may help lower risk, including the following: Quitting smoking: Smoking cigarettes doubles the risk of developing Crohn's disease. Stopping smoking will lower this risk.Eating healthy: A high-fat diet is believed to raise the risk of the disease. Eating a low-fat, healthy diet may help reduce risk.Exercising regularly: Exercising and reducing stress may also lower your risk. Outlook Although there is no cure for Crohn's disease, many people with the condition live healthy, rewarding lives. There are a number of treatments available to help keep the disease in remission, which is the time when symptoms subside. Making changes to your diet can also help reduce the severity of symptoms. People with Crohn's may find the following diet tips helpful: Avoiding carbonated beveragesAvoiding popcorn, nuts, and high fiber foodsEating small meals more regularlyDrinking more liquids A Word From Verywell Crohn's disease has no definitive cause. Autoimmune response, genetics, and lifestyle factors all play a role. Having an immediate family member with Crohn's increases the risk for the condition, but it is not an inherited disease. If you have any concerns about your health or are worried you might be at risk of developing Crohn's, you should speak with a healthcare provider. Frequently Asked Questions How is Crohn's disease diagnosed? A healthcare provider will use a variety of tests to reach a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. These may include: Physical exam of the abdomen Blood tests Endoscopy Colonoscopy CT (computed tomography) scan What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease? Symptoms of Crohn's disease can vary. Common symptoms include: Diarrhea that persistsBleeding from the rectumCramping and abdominal painUrgent need to have a bowel movementFeeling like a bowel movement is incompleteConstipation How do you cure Crohn's disease? There is no cure for Crohn's disease, but treatment options are available to keep the disease in remission. Possible treatments include medication, bowel rest (giving your digestive system a break from eating any food by mouth), and surgery. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! We're providing tips on how to take better care of your gut. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition & facts for Crohn’s disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & causes of Crohn’s disease. MedlinePlus. Crohn's disease. Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. Causes of Crohn’s disease. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Crohn's disease. Cleveland Clinic. Crohn's disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Treatment for Crohn’s disease.