Symptoms of Crohn's Disease - Common Signs

What are the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease?

Crohn’s disease can be difficult to diagnose if a person suffers from a flare up of symptoms which then disappear, something that happens often. Many times, a person will have symptoms and think that they have stomach flu, and once they begin to feel better, the problem is forgotten.

If, however, it seems like you get the flu very often, or if the symptoms keep reappearing, you may need to seek the help of a health professional in diagnosing your problem.

Crohn’s disease affects the entire digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it will most often affect the lower intestines. It causes swelling and inflammation in the digestive tract, which is what results in the appearance of the symptoms of Crohn's disease. Often, these are similar to other digestive disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

With Crohn’s disease, it is said that there can be healthy tissue in between affected tissue.

People of all ages can be diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, but the most commonly affected are those between the ages of 20 and 30. It affects men and women equally, and many studies suggest that people of Jewish descent are at greater risk of the disease.

The symptoms of Crohn's disease can often come on quickly and range between moderate to severe. If you’ve never suffered a Crohn’s related flare up before, you may confuse them with the effects of other illnesses, so you should keep an eye on how long the symptoms last.

• Diarrhea is one of the most common symptoms of Crohn's disease. When the intestines become inflamed, it will secrete excess salt and water, which the colon cannot completely absorb. This extra fluid, combined with intense intestinal cramping, can bring on diarrhea. In moderate cases, the stools may only be loose, but in severe cases, people can wind up having to go to the restroom several times daily, which can disrupt every day activities.
  
  
• Reduced appetite can also result from Crohn’s disease, as it is hard for the body to digest food normally. This can cause noticeable weight loss.
  
  
• In many cases, you will find blood in your stools. This is because the inflamed tissue begins to bleed either on its own or when food moves through the digestive tract. This blood can appear bright red or be darker when mixed with stools. In some cases, the intestinal tract can be bleeding and you won’t see or know it.
  
  
• Ulcers can occur, because Crohn’s disease starts as sores in the intestinal tract. Over time, these sores can become ulcers that not only affect the digestive tract, but can also occur within the mouth. In some cases, these ulcers can become severe.
  
  
• Other symptoms of Crohn's disease can include fever, fatigue and skin problems in other areas. Swollen eyes, arthritis and inflammation of the liver and bile ducts can often occur with Crohn’s disease, too.

In children, Crohn’s disease can cause delayed growth and sexual development, so it should be caught and treated as quickly as possible.

If you suffer from the symptoms of Crohn's disease, the good news is that there are ways to treat the ailment and live a normal life. Just because you are suffering from symptoms now doesn’t mean that you have to forever.

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