What should you know about severe Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease can affect different areas of the digestive tract and may cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, urgency, reduced appetite, tiredness, or weight loss. Inflammation can narrow the bowel or form an opening between tissues, so symptoms and examination findings matter. Abdominal pain is a common presentation of Crohn's disease, but pain alone does not establish the diagnosis.

A flare may follow a period of control, while ongoing symptoms can also reflect infection, medicine effects, or another bowel problem. Your clinician may review hydration, nutrition, blood results, stool symptoms, current medicines, and previous complications.

Take Crohn's medicines as prescribed and do not stop steroids or other treatment suddenly without medical advice. Drink regularly, choose foods you tolerate, and keep a record of bowel movements, pain, fever, appetite, and medicines. During a flare, a clinician or dietitian can help protect nutrition without unnecessary restriction.

Arrange a GP consultation or specialist review when symptoms change, treatment is not controlling them, or side effects appear. A blood test may help assess inflammation, anaemia, hydration, or medicine safety; additional tests may be needed depending on your symptoms.

Seek emergency care for severe or constant abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen with vomiting, inability to pass stool or wind, fainting, heavy rectal bleeding, black stools, high fever, or severe dehydration. These symptoms can signal a complication requiring urgent assessment.

Contact your care team promptly for rapidly increasing diarrhoea, persistent blood or mucus, worsening weakness, inability to keep fluids down, or a flare that is not responding to your agreed plan. Keep your medication list with you when seeking help.

Ask whether your symptoms suggest a flare or another problem, which blood or stool tests are needed, and how treatment will be adjusted. Ask about nutrition, infection precautions, steroid safety, and the exact symptoms that should prompt same-day or emergency care.