Crohn’s disease symptoms.

While a gastroenterologist is needed to confirm a Crohn’s diagnosis, it’s important to recognize its signs and symptoms. Crohn’s symptoms can vary from person to person, some being more common than others. If you know what to look out for, and you’re aware of which symptoms you are experiencing, it will help you be prepared for the conversation with your gastroenterologist when the time comes.

On this page, you’ll find info about:

Common symptoms

Flare-ups

Symptom tracking

Symptom specifics

Crohn’s symptoms can range from mild to severe, and that can change depending on the person and what part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is affected. Crohn’s is also progressive–meaning that over time, your symptoms can get worse.

Here are some of the most common symptoms for Crohn’s:

Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Fatigue (or low energy)
Fever
Weight loss

But you could also experience other symptoms such as:

Constipation
Urgent bowel movements
Loss of appetite
Night sweats
Loss of normal menstrual cycle

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, visit your gastroenterologist for an evaluation.

When flare-ups arise

When you’re diagnosed and on a treatment plan, it’s possible to go into remission with Crohn’s. Remission is when you experience few or no symptoms for a period of time. But if those symptoms reappear or worsen, that’s called a flare-up. Make sure to let a doctor know if you're experiencing a flare-up or if your symptoms change, as it could be a sign that there is active inflammation.

What can make a flare-up flare up?

Forgetting, skipping, or taking the wrong dose of medication—Flare-ups can happen when medications aren’t taken as prescribed. If you’re taking your medication as prescribed and are still experiencing a flare-up, speak to your doctor as soon as you can about whether your treatment plan should be adjusted.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—These include aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen. They can lead to bowel inflammation—making symptoms worse.
Antibiotics—Even though these are good for treating bacterial infections, antibiotics can also alter the bacteria in the intestine. Changes to intestinal bacteria may cause diarrhea or inflammation. Tell your doctor if you’re taking an antibiotic and experience a flare-up of Crohn’s symptoms.
Stress—Physical and emotional stress do not cause Crohn’s—but they can contribute to its symptoms.
Foods or trigger foods—Foods that irritate your GI tract can worsen flare-ups. Learn more about them here.

Fight fire with what works for your Crohn’s

It’s not always possible to prevent flare-ups, but there are ways to help reduce the chance of them happening.

Always take your medicine as prescribed
Visit your gastroenterologist consistently—and have open conversations about your symptoms
Monitor and track how your Crohn’s disease behaves
Keep up with Crohn’s-related tests and procedures
Set up your support system
Maintain a well-balanced diet and consider vitamins or mineral supplements
Get on a regular exercise routine
Don’t smoke
Bring down your stress levels

Keep an eye on those symptoms

It’s a great idea to keep track of your symptoms—having a symptoms journal, if you will. That way, you and your gastroenterologist have a firm understanding of your disease activity and can gauge how your treatment is working or if it needs to be adjusted.

With a symptoms journal, there are a few important things to track:

How often do you have symptoms (such as abdominal pain, loose bowel movements, and loss of appetite)?
Have you experienced changes in your appetite or weight?
How does Crohn’s impact you emotionally?
How does it affect your daily life?
How often you have other complications (such as joint, skin, and eye problems)?

Make sure to let a gastroenterologist know about your symptoms and if they change. Your doctor will continue to monitor your disease even if you’re not experiencing symptoms to check for inflammation inside your GI tract.

That was Crohn’s symptoms and flare-ups. Now, let’s get into Crohn’s Disease Causes