8 Signs and Symptoms of Crohn's Disease You Look Out for

Crohn's disease or more commonly known as intestinal inflammation is more difficult to diagnose than other digestive problems. Because, inflammation of the intestine can cause different symptoms in each person, depending on which part of the channel or digestive tissue is attacked. For that, know more about the following symptoms of Crohn's disease.

Various signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease that you must pay attention to

Crohn's disease is inflammation that occurs in the small intestine and large intestine. Symptoms of Crohn's disease in each person can appear different, as well as the severity. Some people report experiencing only mild symptoms, while others reveal this disease can greatly weaken the body and inhibit activity.

Without treatment, inflammation can spread to other tissues in the digestive tract, causing complications, even death in a few cases.

Reporting from Self, Jessica Philpott, MD, Ph.D., a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic explained there are some common symptoms of Crohn's disease, such as:

1. Diarrhea

Everyone must have experienced diarrhea. However, diarrhea due to Crohn's disease will feel worse. People with Crohn's disease can experience diarrhea from days to months. If you experience severe diarrhea, most likely inflammation occurs on the right side of the large intestine.

Crohn's disease causes the digestive tract muscles to contract excessively causing muscle cramps. As a result, food that enters the body will be digested quickly and end up being feces that tend to run water.

2. Stool bleed

Symptoms of Chron's disease which are also common are bloody feces because intestinal inflammation will cause the intestinal wall to be injured. Gradually, the wound forms an ulcer (boil) and scar tissue that can bleed.

This condition indicates inflammation occurs in the large intestine, rectum, or left side of the small intestine.

3. Abdominal pain or cramps that feel great

Apart from diarrhea, people with Crohn's disease who have symptoms of bloody stools usually have difficulty defecating. This condition can cause pain, cramping and bloating.

This one symptom is especially felt in people who also experience constriction of the intestinal wall (stricture usu) due to scarring. Abdominal pain that feels great and accompanied by constipation tends to be more common in people who experience inflammation of the small intestine.

4. Fever and fatigue

Just like inflammation in other parts of the body, an inflamed digestive tract due to Crohn's disease can also cause symptoms of fever. Fever is a sign that your immune system is fighting the threat of bacteria that is attacking and aggravating the inflammation.

In addition, symptoms of Crohn's disease can also make your body dehydrate, fatigue, and lack of nutrition. This is because diarrhea and fever make the body lack of fluids, while an inflamed gastrointestinal tract also cannot absorb nutrients from food properly.

This disease can also make someone difficult to sleep well and prone to anemia, which further exacerbates fatigue.

5. Injuries to the mouth and weight drop dramatically

Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract can cause injury to the mouth which eventually becomes a scab.

In addition to sores in the mouth, indigestion due to Crohn's disease makes the sufferer, not appetite. Reduced appetite is caused by anxiety and fear. They feel the food is eaten will cause pain in the mouth or stomach or make them have to linger in the bathroom; whether it's due to diarrhea or constipation.

6. Pain in the buttocks

Ulcer ulcers that form due to injury from inflammation of the intestinal wall will eventually form a fistula. A fistula is an abnormal channel that forms between two organs due to the development of a wound.

Usually, a fistula will appear between the intestine and the skin or intestine with other organs. Most commonly appearing around the anus area making prang with Crohn's disease often complain of pain in his buttocks.

7. Inflammation of the skin, eyes, and joints

Inflammation also develops and causes conjunctivitis (red eyes) or skin problems such as erythema nodosum (a painful large lump that often appears on the legs). This is a rare symptom of Crohn's disease and indicates that inflammation is very severe.

8. Itchy skin

Inflammation due to Crohn's disease can block the ducts that carry bile, digestive fluid from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. This condition usually occurs in people who have Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) as well as Crohn's disease. This condition can cause the skin to feel very itchy.

Until now, there are no drugs available to cause Crohn's disease. But, lifestyle changes, especially diet and some medications can reduce the severity of the symptoms.

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