What are you feeling? Everyone is different and experience this disease in their own way. Although we are unique to Crohn’s Disease, we most likely all share a few common symptoms which range from mild to severe. Most of us experience periods of flare-up, followed by long episodes of calm (remission), where symptoms are greatly decreased or not present. Some commonly reported symptoms of Crohns’ Disease include:
- Major Fatigue
- Slight Fever
- Abdominal Cramps
- Abdominal Pain
- Persistent Diarrhea or Constipation
- Rectal Bleeding
- Loss of Appetite
- Muscle Soreness
- Joint Pain
- Skin Rashes (boils)
- Eye Problems
Along with painful symptoms, Crohn’s Disease can lead to major complications such as obstruction of the intestine due to swelling and formation of scar tissue. Malnutrition play a large part as well as other obstructions such as fissures, abscesses and fistulas.
Because not much is really known about our disease or what actually causes it, treatment is usually best defined by the patient (you) rather than your MD. I’m not suggesting that you disregard your MD. What I suggest is that you learn for yourself what causes your flares and what helps you heal and become your own expert.
What they do know about Crohn’s Disease is that it is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive or gastrointestinal track that appears to be a result of a complex interaction of factors such as:
- Inherited Genes
- Your Immune System
- Environmental Factors
Studies suggest that once a person’s immune system is turned on, it doesn’t know how to turn off. The result is the pain and other symptoms that Crohn’s brings. Though it can occur at any age, like myself at 37, most are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35. Roughly 20% of the affected have a sibling, parent or child with the disease or some form of IBD.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have persistent changes in your bowel habits or if you have any of the signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease, such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in your stool
- Ongoing bouts of diarrhea that don’t respond to over-the-counter (OTC) medications
- Unexplained fever lasting more than a day or two
God Bless~
My Crohnstipated Life 
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