Here are the most common Crohn’s symptoms.
People have voted on the most common Crohn’s symptoms in this list and often deal with belly pain, frequent diarrhea, and feeling really tired. It can also lead to weight loss and make you not feel like eating much. Sometimes, there might be blood in the stool, or you might get painful sores in your mouth. Fever and achy joints are also pretty common. The tricky part is that these symptoms can come and go, with good days and bad days.
1
Bloating
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Bloating occurs when the abdomen feels swollen or full, often due to excess gas or food not fully digesting, which is a common symptom for people with Crohn’s disease.
2
Weight loss
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Unexplained weight loss is common in Crohn's patients due to malabsorption of nutrients, loss of appetite, or increased metabolism during flare-ups.
3
Ankle swelling
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Swelling in the ankles can occur due to fluid retention or as a result of inflammation in the body, a common symptom in Crohn's disease, often associated with joint inflammation.
4
Bowel incontinence
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Bowel incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements, leading to accidents. This can be due to Crohn's disease affecting the nerves or muscles of the intestines.
5
General weakness
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A general feeling of weakness can stem from fatigue, malnutrition, or anemia caused by Crohn's disease, leading to decreased energy levels.
6
Diarrhea
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Chronic diarrhea is a hallmark of Crohn's disease, often caused by inflammation in the intestines, leading to frequent, watery stools.
7
Back pain
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Back pain may occur due to inflammation in the spine or due to Crohn’s disease-related complications such as arthritis or intestinal inflammation.
8
Poor circulation
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Poor circulation can occur due to inflammation in blood vessels or from prolonged inflammation, leading to reduced blood flow to various parts of the body.
9
Abdominal pain
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Abdominal pain is common and can range from mild cramping to severe discomfort. It is often caused by intestinal inflammation or blockages from Crohn's disease.
10
Hair loss
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Hair loss, or alopecia, is a symptom often caused by nutritional deficiencies, stress, or inflammation in Crohn’s disease patients.
11
Vitamin D deficiency
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Vitamin D deficiency is common in Crohn’s patients due to malabsorption of nutrients, which can contribute to bone weakness and immune dysfunction.
12
Anemia
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Anemia often develops in Crohn’s patients due to chronic blood loss, malabsorption of iron, or decreased red blood cell production, leading to fatigue and weakness.
13
Blurred vision
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Blurred vision can be caused by inflammation in the eyes (like uveitis) or by dehydration, which is common in Crohn’s disease due to diarrhea and malabsorption.
14
Constipation
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Although diarrhea is more common, constipation can also occur, particularly when a low-fiber diet or certain medications like pain relievers are used.
15
Nausea
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Nausea is often associated with Crohn’s disease flare-ups, caused by inflammation, medication side effects, or difficulty digesting certain foods.
16
Warts
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Skin conditions such as warts may develop due to a weakened immune system caused by Crohn’s disease or medications that suppress the immune response.
17
Urgent – bowel movement
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Urgency refers to the sudden and intense need to have a bowel movement, often accompanied by a feeling of incomplete evacuation or the inability to hold it in.
18
Eczema flare up
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Eczema flare-ups are common in Crohn’s disease patients, often triggered by inflammation or irritation in the body and immune system.
19
Fistula
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Fistulas are abnormal connections between the intestines and other organs or the skin, often caused by severe inflammation in Crohn’s disease, leading to infections and drainage.
20
Food allergies
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People with Crohn’s disease may develop food allergies or sensitivities, especially as their digestive system becomes more reactive or inflamed.
21
Body ache
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Generalized body aches are often a result of inflammation, joint pain, or medication side effects in Crohn’s disease.
22
Fever
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Low-grade fevers may occur during active inflammation or flare-ups, indicating infection or immune system activity in response to Crohn's disease.
23
Fatigue
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Chronic fatigue is a common symptom of Crohn’s disease, often caused by anemia, inflammation, and inadequate sleep due to pain or discomfort.
24
Canker sores
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Canker sores (mouth ulcers) can develop due to Crohn's disease, often as a result of inflammation in the mouth or malabsorption of key nutrients.
25
Kidney stones
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Kidney stones may develop in Crohn’s disease patients, often due to dehydration, calcium malabsorption, or an imbalance of minerals in the body.
26
Rectal bleeding
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Rectal bleeding may occur as a result of inflammation in the rectum or colon, often seen during flare-ups and exacerbating symptoms like diarrhea.
27
Low appetite
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A reduced appetite is common during flare-ups of Crohn’s disease, often due to pain, nausea, or inflammation in the digestive tract.
28
Gallstones
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Gallstones can form in Crohn’s patients, especially those who have had parts of their intestines removed, disrupting bile production and leading to stones.
29
Joint pain
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Joint pain, or arthritis, is a common extra-intestinal manifestation of Crohn’s disease, affecting larger joints and causing stiffness and discomfort.
30
Joint inflammation
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Joint inflammation is a common complication of Crohn’s disease, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving certain joints, often in the knees, hips, and lower back.
31
Tingling in hands
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Tingling or numbness in the hands, a symptom of peripheral neuropathy, can result from nerve damage, inflammation, or malnutrition caused by Crohn’s disease.
32
Heartburn
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Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing discomfort. It is a common symptom of Crohn’s disease, especially with inflammation affecting the GI tract.
33
Gas
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Excessive gas is common in Crohn’s disease, often caused by inflammation, bacterial overgrowth, or difficulty digesting certain foods, leading to bloating and discomfort.
34
Migraine
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Migraines are more common in people with Crohn’s disease, often triggered by stress, medications, or nutritional imbalances.
35
Itchy skin
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Itchy skin can occur due to inflammation or the side effects of medication, such as immunosuppressants, or because of eczema and other skin conditions linked to Crohn’s.
36
Burning – vulva & perianal area
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A burning sensation in the vulva or perianal area can occur due to inflammation, infection, or irritation from diarrhea and frequent bowel movements.
37
Depression
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Depression is common in individuals with Crohn's disease, often due to chronic pain, stress, and the impact of living with a chronic illness.
38
Chills
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Chills are often a result of infection or fever, both of which can occur during Crohn’s disease flare-ups or as a complication of medication.
39
Light sensitivity
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Sensitivity to light (photophobia) may occur in Crohn’s disease patients due to inflammation in the eyes or as a result of medication side effects.
40
Vomiting
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Vomiting may occur due to severe inflammation, a blockage in the intestines, or as a side effect of medications used to treat Crohn’s disease.
41
Ulcer
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Ulcers can develop in the digestive tract due to chronic inflammation, leading to pain, bleeding, or difficulty eating.
42
Intestinal strictures
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Strictures (narrowing of the intestines) can occur due to scar tissue from chronic inflammation, leading to blockages, cramping, and difficulty passing stools.
43
Cramping
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Abdominal cramping is a common symptom of Crohn’s disease, often caused by inflammation in the intestines, making digestion painful and difficult.
44
Swollen throat
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Throat swelling can result from inflammation due to Crohn's disease, or from medications that affect the immune system and increase susceptibility to infections.
45
Hernia
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A hernia can occur due to increased pressure in the abdomen, particularly in Crohn’s patients who may undergo surgery or experience significant weight fluctuations.
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Iritis – pupil swelling and irritation
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Iritis is inflammation of the iris (colored part of the eye), which can cause redness, pain, and light sensitivity. It’s a common complication of Crohn’s disease.