Crohn's disease causes inflammation in the small intestine constipation-constipation-symptoms Crohn's disease usually occurs in the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, but it can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus constipation-constipation-symptoms The inflammation extends deep into the lining of the affected affected organ constipation-constipation-symptoms The inflammation can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea constipation-constipation-symptoms Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) , the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines constipation-constipation-symptoms Crohn's disease can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are are similar to other intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and to another type of IBD called ulcerative colitis constipation-constipation-symptoms Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine constipation-constipation-symptoms Crohn's disease may also be called ileitis or enteritis constipation-constipation-symptoms Diarrhea and and crampy abdominal pain are often relieved when the inflammation subsides, but additional medication may also be necessary constipation-constipation-symptoms Several antidiarrheal agents could be used, including diphenoxylate, loperamide, and codeine constipation-constipation-symptoms Patients who are dehydrated because of diarrhea will be treated with fluids and electrolytes constipation-constipation-symptoms Drug Therapy Drugs that suppress suppress the immune system are also used to treat Crohn's disease constipation-constipation-symptoms Most commonly prescribed are 6-mercaptopurine and a related drug, azathioprine constipation-constipation-symptoms Immunosuppressive agents work by blocking the immune reaction that contributes to inflammation constipation-constipation-symptoms These drugs may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and may lower a a person's resistance to infection constipation-constipation-symptoms When patients are treated with a combination of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, the dose of corticosteriods can eventually be lowered constipation-constipation-symptoms Some studies suggest that immunosuppressive drugs may enhance the effectiveness of corticosteroids constipation-constipation-symptoms How is Crohn's disease diagnosed? If these tests show Crohn's disease, | 