Crohns Disease Symptoms

Category: Illness
Keywords: crohns, disease, symptoms

A chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines, Crohn's disease can also affect other parts of the digestive system. It is characterized by ulcerations of the intestines and may result in blockages. Sometimes it causes sores in surrounding tissues, which may become infected and require surgery.

Since Crohn's disease tends to be a lifelong condition, symptoms will flare up over time, and patients may experience periods of remission in between. When the disease is in the active stage, the patient experiences symptoms such as abdominal pain or diarrhea.

The symptoms of Crohn's disease are varied and depend on the location of the condition. They can range from mild to very severe, and tend to manifest more in winter and autumn. The most common symptom is cramping pain in the right lower abdomen, which develops into a dull ache with time. This occurs when the ileum or lower portion of the small intestine is involved, and the abdomen feels swollen and sore. When the disorder is located in the colon, frequent bouts of diarrhea occur through the day and night, often containing blood or pus.

Patients with Crohn's disease tend to lose their appetite and combined with the diarrhea, this results in considerable weight loss. People with severe Crohn's disease may also feel feverish and experience a significant rise in temperature. High fever indicates an infection. Rectal bleeding occurs, resulting in anemia. Painful fissures or cracks, fistulas or abscesses may also affect the area around the anus. Other symptoms of Crohn's disease include joint pain, mouth ulcers, mouth or eye inflammation, and rashes on the skin.

Crohn's disease causes fatigue and lethargy in the active stage. In children, the disease tends to result in stunted growth. If you have been diagnosed with Crohns disease, you should consult a doctor immediately if you get fever or feel lightheaded, notice bloody stools, experience severe abdominal pain, feel constipated, or dehydrated. While there is no cure for the disease, effective treatment when you need it will help relieve the symptoms.

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