Signs & Symptoms of Crohn's
- Diarrhea is the most common symptom of Crohn's disease. Crohn's can prevent proper absorption of nutrients and water from the bowel and therefore causes the elimination of vital fat and nutrients from the body, which results in frequent diarrhea and weight loss. Because the bowel can also be ulcerated, the diarrhea often contains blood.
- Abdominal pain is also a common symptom. The intestine has a muscular coating that can be prone to spasm, just the same as other muscles in the body. The inflammation can cause and increased the chance of spasm. Intestinal spasms often feel like cramping. In some cases the narrowing is severe enough to require immediate medical attention and in few cases surgical intervention.
- Fever often accompanies inflammation and it's common in Crohn's disease as well.
- Weight loss is also a symptom of Crohn's as the bowel is unable to absorb the proper nutrients. Children may be delayed or fail to reach milestones in growth and maturity.
- Anemia may be present in Crohn's and is due to blood loss from ulcers in the intestinal lining. In some cases blood transfusion are required due to the severity of the blood loss.
- The rectum and anus can be a focal point for inflammation causes by the formation of inflamed areas in the skin, sometimes abscesses or large pus filled pockets form which can cause severe pain and fever. Connection can also be formed between the intestines and the skin around the anus, between the intestine and abdominal wall or even between loops of the intestine with in the abdomen. These are called fistulas.
- Arthritis, skin problems, liver disease, kidney stones, and eye inflammation are among the other manifestations of Crohn's disease outside of the digestive tract.
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