Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s Disease is an autoimmune condition, meaning a condition where the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells in the body. It is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that causes ulcers (sores) in the lining of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease can involve any part of the digestive tract – mouth, stomach or intestines.
Symptoms from involvement of digestive tract:
- Diarrhea
- Bloody bowel movements
- Abdominal pain
- Anal pain
- Pain or drainage near or around the anus
- Mouth sores
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Weight loss
Crohn’s Disease Flare-Ups
IBD is characterized by flares and remissions. A flare is the reappearance or worsening of symptoms. A variety of symptoms can occur in and outside the bowel. Longer periods without active disease or discomfort between flare-ups are called remission.
| Non-Bowel Involvement | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Skin condition called Erythema Nodosum | Tender red bumps, typically on the shins |
| Skin condition called Pyoderma Gangrenosum | Skin lesions that join and form deep chronic ulcers |
| Arthritis | Pain and swelling involving mostly the large joints, knees and hips |
| Eyes | Redness, itching and sensitivity to light |
| Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis is a rare condition associated with Ulcerative Colitis that causes inflammation of bile ducts (thin, long, tube-like structures that carry bile and extend from liver to small intestines) | Fatigue, itching, fevers, chills and night sweats |
| Anemia (lack of adequate healthy red blood cells) | Body weakness, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat |
| Kidney stones | Pain in the side, and back below the ribs, painful urination and persistent need to urinate |
