How do I know if I have Crohn's disease?
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can cause ongoing digestive issues. Getting an accurate diagnosis is important to guide proper treatment.
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can cause ongoing digestive issues. Getting an accurate diagnosis is important to guide proper treatment. Here are insights on identifying Crohn's and getting diagnosed:
Signs and Symptoms
Common symptoms of Crohn's disease include:
- Diarrhea - may range from mild to severe
- Abdominal pain and cramping - typically around the navel area
- Unintended weight loss and reduced appetite
- Rectal bleeding and bloody stools
- Fatigue and low energy levels
- Fever and night sweats in some cases
- Mouth sores
- Perianal complications like skin fissures or fistulas
Symptoms vary from person to person. Some have long periods of remission followed by flare ups when symptoms worsen. The most commonly affected area is the end of the small intestine (ileum) and beginning of the colon.
Getting Diagnosed
Since there is no single test for Crohn's disease, diagnosis involves a combination of steps:
- Medical history - discussing symptoms, family history of IBD, inciting factors
- Physical exam - checking for fever, abdominal tenderness
- Lab tests - bloodwork, stool samples, markers of inflammation
- Endoscopy - colonoscopy, upper endoscopy
- Imaging - CT scan, MRI, capsule endoscopy
- Biopsies - microscopic examination of intestinal tissue
Tracking your symptoms in a journal and being prepared to describe your health history in detail to your doctor can help get an accurate Crohn’s disease diagnosis.
