4 Signs That Tell Your Crohn’s is Advancing

Crohn’s disease is a common inflammatory bowel disorder affecting about 780,000 people in the US, with approximately 33,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The severity and symptoms of this chronic, lifelong disease can vary across patients and change over time as the disease progresses and/or goes through periods of flare-up and remission.

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, it is essential to have an open discussion about the symptoms and progression of the disease with your doctor. The right knowledge can help manage the disease as well as enable you to identify potential complications at the very outset. To help you in this lifelong journey, here we’re highlighting the most common telltale signs that your Crohn’s is getting worse:

1.Your Symptoms Are Changing or You’ve Developed Complications

This change can mean worsening of your symptoms or developing new ones. You may develop or experience the worsening of any of the following symptoms of Crohn’s disease:

• Diarrhea

• Fever

• Abdominal pain and cramps

• Joint inflammation and pain

• Nausea

• Loss of appetite

• Mouth sores

• Skin rashes, sores, and/or bumps under the skin

• Blood in stool

• Weight loss

2.You Are Experiencing New Signs of Inflammation

Crohn’s causes inflammation of the digestive tract. While the disease can affect any part of the digestive system, from mouth to anus, it most commonly affects the small intestine and colon. However, Crohn’s is a progressive disease, which means the inflammation can get severe and spread to other parts of the digestive tract over time, causing various complications. Following are some of the common signs that hint towards the worsening of inflammation:

• Severe belly pain

• Weak or fast pulse

• High fever

• Severe or lasting vomiting and/or diarrhea

• Feeling like you’re going to faint

• Chills (most often without shaking)

If you notice any of these signs, consult your doctor immediately. You may need to undergo an imaging test to determine the intensity of inflammation and how far it has spread in the digestive tract.

3.Your Medicines Have Stopped Working

The purpose of Crohn’s medications is to curb symptoms and keep the disease in remission for as long as possible. If your medications (that were earlier useful) begin to lose their effectiveness or stop working altogether, it’s a possible sign that your disease is progressing. Reach out to your doctor immediately in such a situation as it significantly increases your chances of a flare-up.

4.More Health Complications Are Cropping Up

The lack of effective treatment or the progression of Crohn’s disease can also lead to the development of various complications, which may or may not be associated with the digestive tract. If you’re following all your doctor’s advice yet notice any of the following problems, it is a sign that your disease is advancing:

• Ulcers

• Bowel obstructions

• Anal fissures

• Fistulas

• Abscesses

• Mouth sores

• Joint inflammation and pain

• Redness, itchiness, and/or pain in the eyes

• Gallstones

• Kidney stones

• Brittle bones (osteoporosis)

• Malnutrition

• Anemia

The Sum Up

Crohn’s is an incurable disease. However, it can be managed and kept in remission by adopting a proactive approach towards your health.

Since Crohn’s is a progressive disease, it’s also essential to always keep an eye out for any change in symptoms. Reach out to your doctors as soon as you notice any change, no matter how small it may seem. It could potentially be a sign of your disease getting worse and timely treatment can stop the complications in their tracks.