Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease most commonly affect the intestines or other sections of the digestive tract, causing inflammation and swelling. The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown, but most likely involves the immune system mistakenly attacking part of the digestive tract, explains Medline Plus. In addition to symptoms affecting the intestines, other parts of the body may be affected by Crohn's disease, including the liver.
Liver Inflammation
Inflammation of the liver may develop in patients with Crohn's disease. This inflammation can usually be managed with appropriate treatment, however in approximately five percent of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, serious liver complications develop, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Symptoms of liver inflammation include fatigue and lack of energy. More severe cases of liver disease can cause a yellowing of the skin and eyes known as jaundice, itching all over the body, fluid retention and swelling, and an uncomfortable full feeling in the area around the liver in the upper abdomen.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis, abbreviated PSC, is rare form of severe scarring and inflammation that occurs in the bile ducts, narrow canals that connect the liver to the intestines. Only about one percent of patients with Crohn's disease develop PSC, reports the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Primary sclerosing cholangitis causes symptoms similar to liver inflammation, including nausea, jaundice, itching and unintentional weight loss. Another rare complication of Crohn's disease is cancer of the bile ducts, known as cholangiocarcinoma. However, cholangiocarcinoma occurs even less frequently than PSC among patients with Crohn's disease.
Fatty Liver Disease
Crohn's disease may also potentially cause fatty liver disease, which doctor's call hepatic steatosis. As the name suggests, fatty liver disease results from the accumulation of excess fat in the liver. The condition rarely causes symptoms, explains the Mayo Clinic. If symptoms do occur, they may include pain in the area of the liver, unintentional weight loss and fatigue. Unless the fatty liver disease is causing severe complications, doctors usually do not treat it, reports the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.
