Symptoms - Crohn's disease

Without treatment, symptoms of Crohn's disease can be constant or may come and go every few weeks or months.

When the symptoms come back, it's called a flare-up or relapse. The periods between flare-ups are called remission.

Common symptoms

The main symptoms of Crohn's disease are:

• diarrhoea – which may come on suddenly
• stomach aches and cramps – most often in the lower-right part of your tummy
• blood in your poo
• tiredness (fatigue)
• weight loss

You might not have all these symptoms.

Other symptoms

Some people with Crohn's disease also have:

• a high temperature
• feeling and being sick
• joint pains
• sore, red eyes
• patches of painful, red and swollen skin – usually on the legs
• mouth ulcers

Children with Crohn's disease may grow more slowly than usual.

When to see a GP

See a GP if you or your child have:

• blood in your poo
• diarrhoea for more than 7 days
• frequent stomach aches or cramps
• lost weight for no reason, or your child is not growing as fast as you'd expect

A GP will try to find out what's causing your symptoms and may refer you for tests to check for Crohn's disease.