Diagnosing Crohn's Disease
Crohn's is a very unpredictable disease. And the symptoms of Crohn's disease may
change over time, from things you can cope with to symptoms that are almost
unbearable.
Symptoms of Crohn's disease
However, there are several common symptoms of Crohn's disease,
including:
- Frequent diarrhea
- Stomach pain and cramping
- Blood in the stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
Each person's experience with Crohn's disease is different. But one thing is the same for
almost everyone—the longer your disease is active, the more likely you are to need
surgery. This is because over time the effects of Crohn's disease can damage your gastrointestinal
tract.
Common ages for diagnosis
Crohn's disease can be diagnosed at any age. But most people who have Crohn's disease
are first diagnosed when they're between 15 and 35 years old. Only 1 in 10 people
with Crohn's in the United States is under the age of 18.
Because the symptoms of Crohn's disease are similar to those of many other diseases,
diagnosis may be a challenge. This may be one of the reasons that, on average, people
with Crohn's disease may wait 3 years before being properly diagnosed. That's why it's
important to talk to your doctor about any symptoms you are having. He or she can conduct
a series of tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.