Crohn's disease is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It causes periods of intestinal flare-ups accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, and then typically remits for a variable period of time. While symptoms of Crohn's disease may vary in intensity depending upon the area of the digestive tract that is affected, many will experience a progression of symptoms in stages.
Mild to Moderate Crohn's
Those in the early stages of Crohn's disease may have mild to moderate symptoms related to intestinal inflammation, including diarrhea and abdominal cramping. According to the Crohn's and Me website, these symptoms are not, however, accompanied by more serious problems such as dehydration, fever, intestinal blockage, stomach pain or severe weight loss (more than 10 percent of body weight).
Moderate to Severe Crohn's
Moderate to severe Crohn's disease occurs among those with persistent symptoms that do not respond to initial treatment. Frequent diarrhea, stomach cramping, blood in the stool, occasional nausea or vomiting, high fever and significant anemia (a condition in which the body has insufficient red blood cells, resulting in severe fatigue) can occur, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Loss of appetite and severe weight loss may also occur. Abdominal fullness and tenderness may develop, along with pain that can sometimes mimic appendicitis.
Severe Crohn's
Those with severe Crohn's disease have symptoms that have not improved in spite of treatment with steroids or other pharmaceutical or dietary interventions. As described on the Crohn's and Me website, they have persistent vomiting and high fevers, and often have blockages or abscesses (ulcers) in their intestines. At this stage, individuals will have marked abdominal tenderness, guarding (a tensing of the abdominal muscles) and rebound (pain that becomes worse after pressing on the abdomen). Depending upon the area of the intestine that is inflamed or blocked, other symptoms may emerge. According to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, roughly one-third of patients with Crohn's disease will develop perianal disease, a condition causing the development of fissures, ulcers and loss of blood flow in the anal region. Those with stenotic intestinal segments (those with reduced or completely cut off blood flow) will have a partial or full bowel obstruction that causes abdominal distention (bloating), obstipation (an inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement) and vomiting. Individuals with fistulizing Crohn's disease develop an abnormal sinus tract leading from the intestine out to the surface of the skin in the anal area. They may experience drainage from the fistula, as well as air bubbles in the urine (pneumaturia).
Remission
Crohn's disease often follows a course in which symptoms flare up and then remit. During periods of remission, symptoms decrease significantly or disappear altogether. According to Crohn's and Me, the duration of remissions can vary considerably from person to person, lasting a few days or weeks or sometimes for years.
