Things You'll Need:
- Reference material on Crohn's disease
- Access to a physician
- Knowledge of family medical history
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Step 1
Evaluate your symptoms, which point to the causes. For instance, blood in stools indicates internal bleeding due to inflammation of the GI tract.
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Step 2
Narrow down the cause of symptoms. See a doctor for tests to determine whether your inflammation is caused by an identifiable bacterial or viral infection, or by a breakdown in the immune system.
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Step 3
Locate your immune system problem. A doctor's exam and tests will determine where Crohn's disease has affected your GI tract, which could be anywhere from the esophagus to the colon. This will help you identify whether genetics figures as a risk factor.
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Step 1
Investigate the causes of your condition by considering which risk factors apply to you. Check with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation or your doctor for risk categories (see Resources below).
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Step 2
Use reference material to identify whether you fall into hereditary risk groups based on family medical history or ethnicity. For instance, those with relatives who have Crohn's disease or those who are Jewish and of European descent are at elevated risk.
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Step 3
Consult your doctor or references to determine which other risk factors apply to you. People who live in Northern, urban or industrialized areas have a greater tendency toward the disease.
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Step 4
Decide whether age or your personal medical history indicate risk. People ages 20 to 30 who have experienced immune or digestive system problems in the past are more susceptible to the disease.
