Crohn's Disease Symptoms: 6 Most Common Signs (w/ Quiz)

Crohn's disease symptoms typically include persistent diarrhea, blood and/or mucus in the stool, abdominal pain and an urgent need to poop. It is common for patients to wake during the night to have a bowel movement.

Symptoms of Crohn's disease usually come in waves, known as "flare-ups", which persist for days to weeks, then resolve completely. Patients with Crohn's disease will experience alternative periods of symptom flare-ups followed by remission.

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that is confirmed and treated by a gastroenterologist. This condition is diagnosed through a symptom evaluation, imaging, and procedures like a colonoscopy.

Common symptoms

The main symptoms of Crohn's disease are:

1. Persistent diarrhea

Crohn's disease that affects the small intestine or colon will typically result in diarrhea. Loose stools can last for over 4 weeks, and can occur in the middle of the night, leading to frequent wake-ups.

2. Mucus and/or blood in the stool

It is common for patients with Crohn's disease to notice have mucus or blood mixed in the stool. It is usually a sign of intestinal wall damage, and is especially common when Crohn's disease affects the colon. 

3. Sudden urge to evacuate

Sometimes, Crohn's disease can cause a sudden urge to evacuate, which is more common when inflammation develops in the rectum.

4. Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain from Crohn's disease is most commonly felt in the lower right abdomen. It usually occurs when the disease affects the small intestine or colon. Read more about other causes of abdominal pain and how it's treated.

5. Weight loss

Weight loss caused by Crohn's disease is usually the result of a lack of appetite, blood loss from bowel movements, diarrhea and difficulty absorbing nutrients due to inflammation. It is more common when the disease affects the small intestine.

6. Fever

Sometimes, inflammation in Crohn's disease can cause a fever over 100.4ºF or 38ºC. Fevers can also be a sign of complications, like an anorectal abscess, especially if it presents with other symptoms, like pain with bowel movements or an anal lump. 

Online symptom quiz

If you think you may have Crohn's disease, enter your symptoms below to determine your risk for this condition:

Please note that this symptom quiz is only a tool, and does not provide a diagnosis or replace an assessment with your doctor.

Treatment options

If you believe your symptoms may be related to Crohn's disease, you are advised to consult your family doctor or a gastroenterologist for assessment. The doctor may order tests, like a colonoscopy, to assess for signs of inflammation along the intestinal wall. 

If Crohn's disease is confirmed, the doctor may advise treatment with medication, diet changes or surgery in more severe cases. Read more about the Crohn's disease diet your doctor may recommend to help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of frequent flare-ups.