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Signs of Crohn's Disease

For years, medical professionals suspected that diet and stress were the causes of Crohn's disease, but that theory has been dispelled. Although those two situations can exacerbate the disease, doctors suspect other factors, such as heredity and a compromised immune system, are the culprits. One possibility is that bacteria or a virus may enter the digestive tract and cause inflammation as the healthy bacteria in the intestines try to fight it off. Symptoms may be mild or severe, and they may subside at times. At this time, there is no cure for Crohn's disease.

  1. Diarrhea

    • The intestines secrete water and salt, and the colon is unable to absorb it. This causes diarrhea, the most common symptom of the disease.

    Abdominal Pain

    • The intestines become inflamed, which causes abdominal cramping. The pain can be light to severe and even initiate nausea or vomiting.

    Blood in the Stool

    • Due to inflammation in the intestines, food will sometimes irritate the digestive tract and cause bleeding. The blood can be red or darker if it is mixed with the stool. Some people experience fissures in the anal area that cause anal bleeding. Anemia may develop as a result of the loss of blood.

    Ulcers and Sores

    • The irritation to the intestines may cause ulcers or sores to form on the surface. Another problem is that a fistula may cause pus and leaking stool. Some sufferers of Crohn's disease also experience mouth sores.

    Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss

    • As a result of the pain in the digestive tract, many people lose their appetite as well as the ability to digest food. Without proper digestion, the food often passes through the colon, causing weight loss and malnutrition.

    Additional Symptoms of Crohn's Disease

    • People with Crohn's disease may also suffer from fatigue, fever, arthritis, skin problems, inflamed liver, inflamed eyes, and delayed growth and development.

    Treatment

    • According to information provided by Mayo Clinic, the best treatments for Crohn's disease are anti-inflammatory drugs and immune system suppressors, which also reduce inflammation. Antibiotics are often used to heal fistulas. According to www.crohns-disease-and-stress.com, omega-3 fish oil is an effective natural treatment of the disease.

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