Does Crohn's disease cause diarrhoea?

Inflammation can make the bowel move contents quickly and reduce how much fluid it absorbs. This may lead to loose or frequent stools, urgency, cramps or waking at night to use the toilet. Diarrhoea may be more noticeable during a flare, but a sudden change can also reflect infection, a medicine effect or another problem. Blood, mucus, fever, pain and appetite changes give useful context when a clinician reviews the symptom.

Take frequent sips of fluid and consider an oral rehydration drink if a clinician or pharmacist recommends one. Choose small meals that you tolerate and keep a record of stool changes, urgency, pain, fever, food and medicines. Follow your Crohn's treatment plan; do not alter prescribed medicines or use anti-diarrhoeal medicine without checking that it is suitable, particularly during a flare or when blood and fever are present. Arrange a review if diarrhoea persists or disrupts daily life.

Get urgent care for severe dehydration, fainting, confusion, severe abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting or heavy blood in stool. Contact a clinician promptly for fever, worsening symptoms, black stool, reduced urination or inability to keep fluids down. Children, older adults and people with other illnesses may become dehydrated quickly and should be assessed early.

Ask whether the diarrhoea suggests active inflammation, infection, a treatment effect or a complication. Discuss hydration targets, suitable foods, safe symptom relief and whether blood or stool tests are needed to guide the next step.