Crohn's disease - Symptoms of Crohn's disease
- Introduction
- Symptoms of Crohn's disease
- Causes of Crohn's disease
- Diagnosing Crohn's disease
- Treating Crohn's disease
- Complications of Crohn's disease
- 'Crohn's disease grinds on and on. It zaps you of vigour and energy'
- 'My life is now back on track'
- Self-help
The symptoms of Crohn's vary depending on which part of the digestive system is inflamed.
Common symptoms include:
- recurring diarrhoea
- abdominal pain and cramping, which is usually worse after eating
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- unintended weight loss
- blood and mucus in your faeces (stools)
You may find that you experience all or only one of the above. Some people experience severe symptoms, but others only have mild problems.
There may be long periods that last for weeks or months where you have very mild or no symptoms (known as remission), followed by periods where the symptoms are particularly troublesome (known as flare-ups or relapses).
Less common symptoms include:
- a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100°F) or above
- feeling sick (nausea)
- being sick (vomiting)
- joint pain and swelling (arthritis)
- inflammation and irritation of the eyes (uveitis)
- areas of painful, red and swollen skin – most often the legs
- mouth ulcers
Children with Crohn's disease may grow at a slower rate than expected because the inflammation can prevent the body absorbing nutrients from food.
When to seek medical advice
You should contact your GP if you have:
- persistent diarrhoea
- persistent abdominal pain
- unexplained weight loss
- blood in your faeces (stools)
You should also see your GP if you are concerned about your child's development.
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