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Crohn's Disease & Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Crohn's Disease (CD), one of two of the inflammable bowel diseases (IBDs) along with ulcerative colitis, generally attacks the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the colon. Symptoms manifest most commonly at these battle sites, but may appear in, and affect other areas of the body as well.

  1. Diarrhea

    • Persistent diarrhea remains the most prevalent problem for people with Crohn's Disease according to the Mayo Clinic, due to intestinal inflammations that secrete salt and water.

    Abdominal Pain

    • Too much scarring in the digestive tract prohibits movement of food and other materials and this leads to cramping. Patients with more serious cases of CD may add nausea and vomiting to their symptoms.

    Weight Loss

    • Excessive cramping and nausea results in reduced appetite and eventual weight loss. Inflammation also leads to weight loss as it affects the digestive system's ability to absorb nutrients.

    Bleeding

    • Inflamed tissue sometimes bleeds, leaving evidence in the stool, or with the stool. Doctors may also test for occult blood, which is not immediately visible to the naked eye.

    Warning

    • Johns Hopkins Bayview suggests you call your doctor when the above symptoms remain untreatable with over-the-counter medications. Blood in the stool or abnormal bowel habits that last more than 10 days also warrant a medical visit.

    Other Symptoms

    • CD may also trigger frequent fevers, low iron levels, exhaustion, arthritis, eye inflammations, skin maladies and delayed growth in children.

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