Ulcers in Crohn's disease

Crohn's ulcers can occur in patches, with areas of inflamed tissue between them. They may affect the small bowel, large bowel, or both. An ulcer can irritate the lining and contribute to cramping, frequent stools, urgency, or visible blood. Deeper inflammation may narrow the bowel or lead to a fistula, although an ulcer does not automatically mean that a complication is present.

Symptoms cannot show how many ulcers there are or how deep they extend. Clinicians use your history, examination, blood or stool tests, imaging, and sometimes endoscopy to assess activity and healing.

Follow the treatment plan prescribed for Crohn's disease and report bleeding, increasing pain, fever, or worsening diarrhoea. Drink fluids regularly if stools are frequent, unless a clinician has told you to limit fluids. Avoid starting anti-inflammatory pain medicines without checking first.

At review, describe stool frequency, urgency, night symptoms, appetite, and any blood. These details help distinguish an active flare from another digestive problem and guide the next investigation or treatment step.

Seek urgent care for heavy or repeated bleeding, black stools, faintness, severe weakness, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen abdomen, or inability to pass stool or gas.

Promptly contact your care team if blood keeps appearing, diarrhoea is worsening, or fever accompanies abdominal symptoms. Early assessment can identify inflammation or complications that need treatment.

Ask where the ulcers are, whether they appear active, how healing will be checked, which symptoms indicate bleeding, and whether your current medicines need adjustment.