What should you know about untreated Crohn's disease?

Untreated Crohn's disease can keep digestive-tract inflammation active, causing symptoms and complications that need medical assessment and treatment. It may lead to ongoing diarrhoea, Abdominal Pain, fatigue, reduced appetite or weight loss. Inflammation can affect different parts of the digestive tract and may come and go, so a quieter spell does not necessarily mean the condition has resolved.

Continuing inflammation can irritate or narrow the bowel, create abnormal connections between nearby organs, or interfere with absorbing nutrients. Some people develop sores around the anus, joint symptoms, eye inflammation or skin changes. These problems are not inevitable, and symptoms can also have other causes. A clinician uses the history, examination and appropriate tests to understand whether Crohn's Disease is active.

Arrange a GP Consultation if bowel symptoms persist, recur or affect daily activities. Record stool changes, pain location, fever, appetite, weight change, medicines and any blood or mucus. Drink enough fluid if you can, choose foods you tolerate and avoid starting restrictive diets without advice. A Blood Test may help check inflammation or anaemia, while further assessment can guide treatment.

Seek urgent help for severe or worsening abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen with vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas, heavy rectal bleeding, fainting, confusion, high fever or signs of dehydration such as very little urine. These symptoms can signal a complication and should not be managed by waiting at home.

Could my symptoms fit Crohn's disease or another bowel condition? Which tests are needed, and what will they show? How can I maintain nutrition and hydration while we clarify the cause?