Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel condition affecting any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. While lifelong and without a cure, treatments typically manage symptoms, allowing individuals to lead active lives. Symptoms vary significantly among individuals, ranging from mild to severe.
Crohn’s Disease Common Symptoms
The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping, fatigue, weight loss, and sometimes blood in the stool. The specific symptoms and their severity can differ depending on where the inflammation is located within the digestive tract and how extensive it is.
Crohn’s can also affect other body parts, causing joint pain, skin rashes, and eye inflammation. Symptoms often come and go, with periods of active disease (flare-ups) and periods of remission where symptoms are reduced or absent.
Constipation in Crohn’s Disease
While diarrhea is a hallmark symptom of Crohn’s disease, constipation can occur in some individuals. It is a less common primary symptom, affecting approximately 1 in 10 people with Crohn’s or Colitis. When constipation occurs, it often signals underlying factors or complications, rather than active inflammation. Its presence warrants further investigation.
Reasons for Constipation with Crohn’s
Constipation in individuals with Crohn’s disease can stem from several mechanisms.
Strictures
One cause is the formation of strictures, narrowed areas in the intestine from chronic inflammation and scar tissue. These can impede stool passage, leading to blockages or obstructions. A severe blockage is a medical emergency requiring surgical intervention.
Medications and Diet
Certain medications used to manage Crohn’s or its associated symptoms can also contribute to constipation, including some pain relievers, iron supplements, and anti-diarrheal drugs. Dietary habits also play a role; a low fiber intake, often adopted by those with Crohn’s to avoid irritating symptoms, can lead to constipation. Not drinking enough fluids also contributes to harder, more difficult-to-pass stools.
Other Factors
Inflammation in the rectum (proctitis) can slow bowel motility and cause severe constipation. Other factors include a sedentary lifestyle or concurrent conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which shares symptoms with Crohn’s but does not involve inflammation. Pelvic floor dysfunction, where bowel movement muscles do not relax or coordinate properly, is another possible cause.
When to Consult a Doctor
Individuals with Crohn’s disease experiencing constipation should consult a healthcare professional, especially if it is new, severe, or persistent. Seek immediate medical attention if constipation is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, inability to pass gas, or fever. These could indicate a serious complication like a bowel obstruction, requiring prompt evaluation.
Self-treating severe or persistent constipation with over-the-counter remedies is not advisable for Crohn’s patients, as it might mask a serious underlying issue or worsen their condition. Open communication with a gastroenterologist or IBD care team about all symptoms, including changes in bowel habits, is crucial for appropriate management and to prevent potential complications.