What is a Crohn's disease exacerbation?

A flare may bring more frequent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, urgency, blood or mucus in the stool, tiredness, reduced appetite, fever, or weight change. Symptoms vary by the part of the digestive tract affected and may build gradually or worsen quickly.

A flare is not the only explanation for a change in bowel symptoms. Infection, medicine effects, food intolerance, and other problems can look similar. The pattern, severity, and associated signs help a clinician decide what is happening.

Contact your GP or IBD team when symptoms are new, persistent, or clearly worse than your usual pattern. A GP Consultation can review your medicines, hydration, stool changes, pain, and fever. A Blood Test may help assess inflammation or anaemia, and your clinician may recommend further checks.

Keep drinking fluids in small, regular amounts and note bowel movements, bleeding, pain, temperature, and medicines taken. Continue prescribed treatment unless your clinician tells you otherwise. Avoid using anti-inflammatory painkillers or anti-diarrhoeal medicines without checking that they are suitable for you.

Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly increasing abdominal pain, a swollen or rigid abdomen, repeated vomiting, heavy rectal bleeding, faintness, confusion, high fever, or inability to keep fluids down. These signs may indicate dehydration, obstruction, severe inflammation, or infection rather than an uncomplicated flare.

Ask how a flare will be assessed, which symptoms should trigger same-day care, how to adjust fluids and food, and whether your treatment plan needs review after symptoms settle.