Crohn's disease is a chronic, inflammatory ailment affecting the wall of the intestine. Also called regional enteritis or granulomatous ileitis, Crohn's disease primarily affects an area of the small intestine called the ileum, but it can occur anywhere along the digestive tract. The disease can affect any age group but is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 30, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown.
Abdominal Symptoms
Two of the most common early features of Crohn's disease are chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain. Stools may contain blood, and the area over the right, lower abdomen often feels tender and full. Sometimes these acute symptoms can be confused with possible appendicitis or an intestinal obstruction. Over time, intestinal narrowing can lead to periods of constipation, vomiting, severe pain and swelling of the abdomen.
Fever
During flareups of the disease, inflammation often coincides with a high fever. Crohn's disease patients can also run low-grade fevers, which fluctuate depending on the time of day and may cause night sweats.
Weight Loss
Because Crohn's patients suffer from pain, diarrhea and vomiting, they often lose their appetites. Additionally, the inflammation and destruction to the intestinal wall can lead to a state of malnourishment and a resulting loss of weight. Malabsorption of fats and other nutrients due to bacterial overgrowth, or from an obstruction, can also contribute to weight loss.
Rectal Bleeding
Increased incidence of bloody diarrhea occurs with involvement of the large intestine. According to the Merck, approximately 33 percent of people with Crohn's have symptoms of the disease, including bleeding, around the anus.
Symptoms Outside the Intestine
People with Crohn's disease often face many facets of the illness that seem unrelated to their intestinal symptoms. The skin, eyes, mouth, liver and joints may be affected. Certain types of arthritis can be particularly problematic. An article on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from "The World Journal of Gastroenterology" states that inflammatory arthritis is the most common extra-intestinal manifestation in inflammatory bowel disease patients, with a prevalence between 7 percent and 25 percent.
