Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes patches of inflammation along the digestive tract -- most commonly near the end of the small intestine and in the colon. In a person with Crohn's disease, the inflammation frequently affects more than one layer of the wall of the digestive tract, and it can cause the intestines to empty more frequently -- resulting in diarrhea. The intestines may also be swollen or have sores, which can cause pain as food is moving through. Some people find that they can reduce their symptoms by taking medications, changing their diet, or learning to manage the stress in their lives.