What should you know about Crohn's disease and diverticulitis?

Crohn's disease is a long-term inflammatory condition that can affect different parts of the digestive tract. Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the bowel wall become inflamed or infected. Their symptoms can overlap, so the symptom alone does not identify the cause.

Crohn's disease may cause recurring diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, tiredness, reduced appetite, or weight change. Diverticulitis more often causes localised abdominal pain, tenderness, fever, nausea, or a change in bowel movements. A clinician may need your history, examination, blood tests, and sometimes scans or other bowel tests to separate them.

Arrange a GP Consultation if abdominal pain or diarrhoea persists, returns, or interferes with eating, sleep, work, or daily activities. Record where the pain is, when it started, bowel changes, fever, vomiting, blood in the stool, and medicines you take.

Do not start leftover antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medicines without advice. A Blood Test may help look for inflammation or anaemia, while further assessment is chosen according to your symptoms and examination.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, a swollen or rigid abdomen, repeated vomiting, fainting, confusion, heavy bleeding from the bowel, or inability to keep fluids down. Fever with marked tenderness also needs prompt assessment.

Ask which features point toward Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, or another cause; whether you need blood tests or imaging; which pain medicines are suitable; and what changes should prompt urgent review.