Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) vary among individuals and may overlap with other gastrointestinal
conditions. Additionally, symptoms range from mild to severe. Typical symptoms of IBD include (but are certainly not limited
to):
Crohn's Disease: abdominal pain on the lower
right side, diarrhea, weight loss and/or fevers
Ulcerative Colitis: rectal bleeding, diarrhea,
urgency (the feeling that one can't get to
the bathroom quickly enough) and loss
of bowel control
Also, people with IBD may experience symptoms unrelated to the digestive system called “extra-intestinal” manifestations (EMI)
of IBD. These include joint or back pain, eye redness and pain, skin lesions and mouth sores.
Complications of IBD
Patients with Crohn's Disease may develop narrowings (or strictures) in the intestine, which can sometimes lead to bowel obstruction. In addition, abnormal connections between the bowel and other organs - called fistulae - can develop
in Crohn's disease. Internal or rectal abscesses can also complicate Crohn's disease. Patients with long-standing ulcerative
colitis and Crohn’s of the colon may be at slightly higher risk for the development of colon cancer and should be monitored
regularly with colonoscopy.
Schedule an appointment
To schedule an appointment with the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program of the Jefferson Digestive Disease Institute in Philadelphia,
call 1-800-JEFF-NOW or use our online appointment request form.
