Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the digestive tract. While it can impact any part from the mouth to the anus, it most commonly affects the small and large intestines. This inflammation often leads to changes in bowel movements. Understanding these alterations in stool appearance and frequency is important for recognizing the condition’s potential impact.
Recognizing Specific Bowel Movement Changes
Crohn’s disease often alters stool consistency. Diarrhea, characterized by frequent, loose, and watery stools, is a common manifestation and can sometimes appear entirely liquid. This may lead to a sense of urgency and incomplete bowel emptying. In some instances, Crohn’s can also lead to constipation, particularly if there is narrowing in the intestines.
Blood in the stool is a common sign of Crohn’s disease activity. Bright red blood typically indicates bleeding closer to the rectum or lower large intestine. Darker, tarry, or black stools suggest bleeding higher up in the digestive tract, where blood has been digested. Mucus may also be present, appearing as yellow or whitish substances in or around the stool.
Undigested food particles can be visible in the stool, especially if food moves too quickly through the digestive system due to inflammation. Stool may also appear greasy or oily, a condition known as steatorrhea, which can be difficult to flush and often has a foul odor. Stool color might be pale if fat absorption is impaired, or green if certain foods pass through too rapidly.
The frequency of bowel movements often increases during periods of active inflammation. While normal bowel habits vary, a significant increase to four or more bowel movements per day can indicate active disease. This heightened frequency can disrupt daily life.
Why Crohn’s Affects Bowel Movements
Chronic inflammation is a main cause of altered bowel movements in Crohn’s disease. It damages the digestive tract lining, impairing its ability to absorb water and nutrients. This impaired absorption contributes to watery diarrhea, as excess fluid remains in the stool. Inflamed intestinal walls also experience increased motility, further accelerating stool passage.
Damage to the small intestine, especially the ileum, can lead to malabsorption. When the body struggles to absorb fats, these undigested fats pass into the colon, resulting in steatorrhea. Similarly, undigested food particles appear in stool due to the digestive system’s compromised ability to process food from inflammation and rapid transit.
Ulceration and bleeding directly impact stool appearance. Inflammation causes open sores, or ulcers, to form on the intestinal lining, which can bleed. The location of these bleeding ulcers determines the color of the blood in the stool; bleeding in the lower tract often appears bright red, while bleeding higher up results in darker, tarry stools due to partial digestion. Increased mucus production also occurs in response to inflammation and ulceration.
Strictures, which are narrowings of the intestine from chronic inflammation and scarring, can impede stool passage, potentially leading to constipation. Fistulas, abnormal tunnel-like connections, can also influence stool characteristics, though their impact varies depending on their location.
When to Consult a Doctor
Seek medical attention for ongoing changes in bowel habits, especially if new or worsening. Persistent diarrhea or constipation lasting more than a few days, or recurring over weeks or months, requires evaluation. Any blood in the stool, whether bright red, dark, or tarry, should prompt a medical consultation.
Accompanying symptoms alongside altered bowel movements also indicate a need for professional help. These include unexplained weight loss, which can result from malabsorption and reduced appetite. Abdominal pain and cramping, particularly if severe or persistent, are common signs of active disease. Other symptoms like fever and fatigue that do not improve with rest should also be discussed with a healthcare provider. Professional diagnosis and management are crucial for Crohn’s disease, as self-diagnosis can lead to delayed or inappropriate care.