The symptoms of Crohn’s vary depending on which part of the intestine is inflamed.
There may be long periods that last for weeks or months where you have very mild or no symptoms, followed by periods where the symptoms are particularly troublesome. These are known as flare-ups.
Common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:
- recurring diarrhoea
- abdominal pain and cramping (the pain is usually worse after eating)
- blood and mucus in your faeces (stools)
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- weight loss
You may find that you experience all or only one of the above.
Weight loss can be caused by a combination of factors. For example, inflammation can interfere with your ability to digest food, and the symptoms of pain and diarrhoea can reduce your appetite.
Less common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:
- high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100°F) or above
- feeling sick (nausea)
- being sick (vomiting)
- joint pain and swelling (arthritis)
- inflammation and irritation of the eyes (uveitis)
- skin rashes
When to seek medical advice
You should contact your GP if you have:
- persistent diarrhoea that does not respond to over-the-counter (OTC) medication
- persistent abdominal pain
- unexplained weight loss
- blood in your faeces (stools)
