• Diarrhea

This is the most commonly reported symptoms of Chrohn’s disease. Chrohn’s disease causes cells in your intestine to secrete water and salt that cannot be fully absorbed by the colon. This often leads to diarrhea and loose stool and some people report having diarrhea 10 to 20 times per day.

• Abdominal Pain and Discomfort

Pain and cramping in the abdomen is often caused by the swelling and thickening of the bowel walls due to scar tissue from ulceration. This can lead to abnormal movement of contents through the digestive tract, which in turn causes pain and other intestinal discomfort. This pain is usually intermittent and is sometimes characterized as causing soreness to the touch. A dull, persistent ache sometimes develops. In some cases, this develops further into nausea and vomiting.

• Blood in the Stool

Another Crohn’s disease symptom can be blood in your stools. As food passes through the digestive tract, it can cause inflamed tissue on the walls of your intestines and bowel to bleed. This can manifest in blood showing up in the stool, visible in the toilet, but sometimes does not show at all. This is known as occult blood. Excessive bleeding can lead to low iron levels which can result in anemia.

• Ulcers

Small sores on the walls of the intestine often develop that can become larger ulcers that penetrate through the intestinal walls. Sometimes, people also develop ulcers in the mouth that are similar to canker sores.

• Reduced Appetite and/or Weight Loss

The abdominal pain associated with Chrohn’s disease often causes people to lose their appetite. In addition, inflammation of the walls of the bowel can interfere with digestion and absorption of food, manifesting most commonly in the form of diarrhea, which can lead to weight loss.

• Other Symptoms

Some people with Crohn’s disease also report such symptoms as fatigue, fever, night sweats, arthritis, skin conditions, eye inflammation and inflammation of the liver or bile ducts.

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The first line of treatment for diarrhea is to determine the cause, if possible. For example, acute diarrheal episodes can be caused by sensitivities to specific foods, certain prescription medications, viral infections or food poisoning. Therefore, treating acute diarrhea can be as simple as switching medications, avoiding particular foods or focusing on staying hydrated as a virus runs its course. Absorbents, bismuth compounds and anti-motility medications are examples of over-the-counter diarrhea treatments that can provide relief for some people suffering from diarrhea.

The most common absorbents are polycarbophil and attpulgite, which treat diarrhea by binding with water to make stools less watery. Other diarrhea treatments are anti-motility medications such as loperamide (Imodium) slow down movement in the intestines by relaxing the muscles, which allows for increased water absorption, resulting in less watery stools. Bismuth compounds, such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), have some anti-bacterial qualities and provide a protective coating that alleviates symptoms and allows the gut to heal. Prescription anti-motility medications, such as diphenoxylate, are also available for diarrhea treatment.

In cases of acute diarrhea that do not require medical attention, staying hydrated and eating foods that will not further irritate your digestive system are key factors in managing a short-term episode. Drink plenty of water and avoid spicy, rich or fatty foods during the episode and for a few days after. Both children and adults may benefit from adopting the popular BRAT diet to assist with diarrhea management, which includes bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast. Foods that are high in probiotics, such as yogurt, are also recommended for the treatment of diarrhea, and the use of oral rehydrating solutions (ORS) such as Ceralyte, that contain carbohydrates and electrolytes can help maintain hydration.

Herbal remedies used in the treatment of diarrhea include dandelion, fenugreek, skullcap and goldenseal, which can be purchased in tea or capsule form at most health food stores. The abdominal discomfort and cramping that generally accompanies diarrhea can often be alleviated with chamomile or peppermint teas, which have the added benefit of assisting in increasing water consumption to avoid dehydration.

Probiotics may also assist in the treament of diarrhea and also assist in the healing afterwards as it restores the good bacteria which may have been killed off as a result of the underlying cause of diarrhea.

Medical treatment may be necessary for chronic diarrhea, persistent acute diarrhea or severe dehydration. For example, in some cases of severe dehydration caused by diarrhea, intravenous rehydration may be used to replace lost fluids, and testing and observation may be required to determine the cause of chronic or persistent diarrhea in order to determine a treatment plan.

In most cases, effective diarrhea treatment can be managed at home and most diarrheal episodes will subside within a few days. For long-term or repeated episodes, you should consult with your doctor to ensure that there are no underlying medical issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or colon cancer.

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