What should you know about acute crohn s disease?

A flare may bring increasing diarrhoea, abdominal pain, urgency, tiredness, poor appetite or weight loss. Similar symptoms can also come from infection, medicine effects or a narrowed bowel, so the gastroenterology team may need to assess the cause before treatment is changed.

Crohn's disease causes patchy inflammation that can affect any part of the digestive tract. During active disease, the inflamed bowel absorbs fluid and nutrients less effectively and may bleed. Mouth ulcers, joint discomfort, skin changes or eye inflammation can occur alongside bowel symptoms.

Cramping with bloating and vomiting can reflect a bowel narrowing or blockage. Localised, persistent pain with fever may occur with an abscess. A connection called a fistula can cause drainage near the anus or recurrent infection. These complications need direct medical evaluation rather than an unplanned increase in routine medicine.

Contact the inflammatory bowel disease team or GP when symptoms increase, following any written flare plan. Continue prescribed maintenance medicine unless the treating clinician advises otherwise. Do not start leftover steroids or alter immune-suppressing treatment independently. Avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen unless a clinician familiar with the condition has recommended them.

Take small, frequent sips to replace fluid lost through diarrhoea, using oral rehydration solution if advised. Choose foods that are tolerated rather than imposing a restrictive diet during illness. Keep notes on bowel frequency, blood, pain, temperature, vomiting, intake and missed medicines. Assessment may involve stool testing and blood tests to distinguish inflammation from infection and check for anaemia or dehydration.

Seek urgent care for severe or steadily worsening abdominal pain, a swollen or rigid abdomen, repeated vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas, heavy rectal bleeding, black stools, fainting, confusion, or very little urine. Fever with localised abdominal or anal pain also needs prompt assessment because an infection or abscess may be present.

Call emergency services for collapse, severe breathing difficulty or signs of shock such as cold clammy skin with profound weakness. People taking medicines that suppress immunity should seek advice promptly for fever or suspected infection, as their symptoms may be less obvious. Tell the care team which Crohn's medicines were taken most recently.

Ask whether the symptoms fit inflammation, infection or a structural complication; which tests are needed; and whether current medicines should continue. Discuss a clear plan for worsening symptoms, hydration and suitable pain relief. Once the flare is controlled, ask whether monitoring, nutrition support or maintenance treatment should change to reduce further episodes.