What does abdominal pain feel like with Crohn's disease?

Crohn's Disease can cause pain in different parts of the abdomen, depending on which area of the digestive tract is inflamed. It may come in waves like a cramp, linger as an ache, or feel worse before or during a bowel movement. Diarrhoea, urgency, bloating, reduced appetite, tiredness, and fever can occur alongside pain, particularly during a flare.

The sensation and severity can change over time. Abdominal pain by itself cannot identify Crohn's Disease, since infection, food intolerance, and other bowel conditions can produce similar symptoms. A clinician considers the full pattern and may arrange blood, stool, or imaging tests.

Record when pain occurs, where it is, bowel frequency, stool appearance, food triggers, and any fever or weight change. Drink regularly if diarrhoea is present and follow any personalised treatment plan. Do not change prescribed anti-inflammatory or immune medicines without speaking with the treating team. A review is useful if symptoms are new, worsening, or disrupting sleep and daily activities.

Contact your clinician promptly for persistent pain, frequent diarrhoea, blood in stools, fever, night symptoms, or unplanned weight loss. Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen abdomen, fainting, heavy rectal bleeding, or inability to pass stool or gas. These may signal a complication requiring immediate assessment.

Could my pain pattern fit inflammatory bowel disease? Which tests would clarify the cause? How should I manage food and fluids during a flare? What changes should lead me to contact the gastroenterology team?