Living With Crohn's Disease: Symptoms, Treatment & Support

Life with Crohn’s disease

Though there is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease (CD),¹ there is still hope. There are many types of treatments available to treat CD, aimed at reducing inflammation and relieving symptoms.²

Crohn’s disease symptoms

The symptoms of Crohn’s disease (CD) depend on the part of your digestive tract that is affected by the disorder and severity.² The likelihood of developing CD is seen to be almost the same for women and men, therefore, may not be linked to biologic gender.³

You can be diagnosed with CD at any age, though it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 15-40.³

The main symptoms of CD are:²

Severe stomach pain
Feeling like you need the toilet right away
Fever
Diarrhoea with blood, mucus, or pus
Bowel obstruction
Fatigue (tiredness)
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Generally feeling discomfort or weakness

An Asian woman in an orange top sits in a clinical consultation setting, looking attentively toward a healthcare provider, illustrating the experience of discussing symptoms and care with a doctor.

However, the symptoms that occur in people living with CD are very diverse. At the beginning of the disease, there may only be nonspecific symptoms in the gastrointestinal area that seem harmless. If they occur more frequently and with increasing intensity, they can also be serious signals of CD.³ Some people may also develop anaemia (a low number of red blood cells) or have problems with their joints, skin and eyes.²

Though these symptoms and complications can be serious, most people with CD are able to control their symptoms and live active lives.⁴ You may even find that you change your diet in times of remission and flare-ups, where your diet can also play a role in ensuring that people living with CD remain in remission.⁵

Treatment options for Crohn’s disease

Currently, there is no cure for Crohn’s disease (CD), however, there are various medications available which can help you manage the condition.²

The goal of medical treatment is to stop the inflammation that triggers signs and symptoms, to avoid complications, and to improve long-term prognosis. In the best cases, this may lead not only to short-term symptom relief but also to long-term remission.²

The journey to achieving remission will be different for everyone. By staying on treatment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, many people with IBD will see their symptoms improve, or perhaps even disappear completely.²

Sometimes, however, surgical intervention is necessary.⁶ Psychological care and nutritional therapies can also help, along with smoking cessation in some cases of CD.⁵⁷

Anti-inflammatory treatment

Corticosteroids treatment

Immunomodulators

Biologics

Small molecule treatment

Aminosalicylates and corticosteroids may be used to reduce inflammation in the gut in both CD and UC.⁸

Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatories, meaning they decrease levels of inflammation in the body. They support with moderate to severe flare-ups of IBD.⁸

Are a group of medicines that weaken or suppress the immune system activity which in turn decreases the inflammatory response in the body.⁸

Targets specific parts of the immune system and may be recommended in certain cases of moderate to severe IBD.⁸

Work inside immune cells to help manage inflammation.⁸

Want to learn more about long-term remission?

Find out how endoscopic remission could be the next step on your journey of long term healing.

Getting support for Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease (CD) can have a significant impact on your life, both physically and emotionally.¹⁷

What symptoms do you get?
How can you relieve them?
How do you handle these new emotions?
How can your friends and family help?
How can you continue to do the things you enjoy?

These are just some of the questions you might be asking yourself.

In this section, you will find practical tips and advice to help you cope with the condition and its symptoms.

Whilst it may not feel like it at the start of your diagnosis, with a bit of planning and recognising your own triggers, you can still achieve your goals and live life to the fullest. No two people with CD have the same experiences, but these tips should be a helpful starting point on your personal journey to help manage your daily life with CD.

Tips for managing Crohn’s disease

Set & measure your own goals

Take each day as it comes and focus on what you can control.

On good days, you can set small goals such as going for a walk or calling a friend for a chat. Make a list of short and long-term goals and tick off what you can. Avoid making too many changes at once, and with a bit of planning and recognising your triggers, you can still achieve your goals and live life fully.

Keep a diary

Keeping a diary helps you get a handle on your feelings, as well as identify your triggers. It’s also helpful for any medical appointments to enable you to discuss any symptoms or side-effects you may have been experiencing.

Talk openly with family & friends

Try to be as open and honest as possible with your loved ones about your condition, treatment, and worries. The more they understand about CD and your priorities, the better they can understand you.