Crohn's Disease Progression Guide
Inflammation from Crohn's disease may get less severe during periods of remission and more severe during relapses, also called flare-ups.
More frequent or severe flare-up symptoms may be a sign that Crohn's is progressing or a person's treatment plan is not working well to limit inflammation. The goal of treatment is to bring Crohn's into remission and keep it there.
Moderate to severe inflammation from Crohn's may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms that significantly affect quality of life. A person may find it challenging to meet their nutritional needs with a typical diet.
They may have unintentional weight loss, dehydration, and other complications, such as intestinal fistula, obstruction, and abscess.
Mild inflammation from Crohn's disease may cause some abdominal pain and diarrhea, but the symptoms are typically not severe enough to significantly affect quality of life.
A person can still eat and drink normally. They do not have a lot of unintentional weight loss, dehydration, or other complications from Crohn's.
Asymptomatic Crohn's Disease
Medication is the first-line treatment for Crohn's disease. A doctor may recommend surgery to remove part of the small or large intestine if a medication does not work well to limit inflammation and manage symptoms.
Sometimes removing the entire large intestine is necessary. A doctor may also recommend surgery to repair an intestinal fistula, obstruction, or other potential complication of Crohn's.
People with Crohn's may have signs and symptoms of inflammation outside of the intestines. These include sores in the mouth, anus, or area between the anus and genitals; joint stiffness, swelling, or pain; eye redness or pain; and skin rash.
There is also an increased risk of certain conditions that affect the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, or bones.
Some people have asymptomatic Crohn's disease. It involves inflammation in part of their intestines but no symptoms. This is also known as silent Crohn's disease.
Mild symptoms
Moderate to severe symptoms
Increased flare-ups
Extraintestinal manifestations
Need for surgery
The person may not require medication or other treatments. Their doctor will monitor their condition for signs of change.
Crohn's disease may cause inflammation in the colon, which increases a person's risk of colorectal cancer. Such a risk is increased if they developed Crohn's at a young age; have lived with Crohn's for many years; have widespread and severe inflammation in the colon; have primary sclerosing cholangitis or have a family history of colorectal cancer.
Doctors recommend people with Crohn's who have these risk factors get a colonoscopy every 1 to 3 years. Screening for colorectal cancer can start 8 years after the initial Crohn's diagnosis.
Colorectal cancer risk
