Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsIBD vs. IBSComplicationsWhen to Seek CareNext in IBD GuideHow Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Is Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
IBD vs. IBS
Complications
When to Seek Care
Next in IBD Guide
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms include abdominal pain, bloody stools, unintentional weight loss, diarrhea, and more.Symptoms can be mild to severe.
Inflammatory bowel diseaseinvolves ongoing inflammation of all or part of your digestive tract. Three conditions are categorized as IBD:Crohn’s disease(CD),ulcerative colitis(UC), andindeterminate colitis(IC).
Many other symptoms may also be present, and the pain may affect different areas of the digestive system, depending on the disease. Your specific set of symptoms can help your healthcare provider determine whether you have IBD and, if so, which type.
Verywell / Brooke Pelczynski
IBD is a painful condition and some of its symptoms can be worrisome. While there’s a fair amount of overlap between the different types of IBD, each has its own potential set of symptoms.
IC is diagnosed when it’s not clear whether the condition is Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis because the disease does not fit the whole picture of each condition, so any combination of symptoms can be seen in IC.
Rectal Bleeding
Bleeding from the rectum, or seeingblood in the stool, is never a normal occurrence, and it is one of the symptoms of IBD.
Blood in the stool is a common symptom of UC and IC. It’s less frequent in Crohn’s disease. There are times when it can be a serious concern, leading to significant blood loss.
Mucus in the Stool
Mucus is a normal part of stoolbut it isn’t usually visible, and it is not always a cause for concern. If you have enough mucus in the stool that you can see it, there could be several reasons why.
People with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease sometimes pass visible amounts of mucus in their stool, either as a result of ulcers in the colon or possibly due to an anal fissure (a tear or split in the skin).
People who have had surgery for ulcerative colitis and have a j-pouch (ileal pouch-analanastomosis, or IPAA) may also pass mucus, which could be a sign of a condition calledpouchitis.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain(usually described as stomach pain) can be a symptom of many different conditions.
Persistent Diarrhea
Diarrheahas many causes, and even healthy adults may have diarrhea a few times a year. Often, diarrhea resolves on its own, and the cause may go undiscovered. Persistent diarrhea lasting more than three days can be a sign of a problem that might need treatment.
People with IBD often have episodes of “explosive diarrhea” several times a day. This type of diarrhea is just as the name implies—rapid, sudden, and severe. It may involve anywhere from three up to 10 or even 20 watery bowel movements daily.
Unintended Weight Loss
Losing weight without restricting calories or exercising is usually a sign of a medical issue.
Diarrhea,lack of appetite, and active inflammation resulting in protein-losing enteropathy can result in unintended weight loss.
In rare cases, some people with IBD may also experience:
Talk with your medical team for help in managing these symptoms if you have them.
Crohn’s Disease vs. Ulcerative ColitisCrohn’s disease can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, while ulcerative colitis is limited to thecolonand rectum.
Crohn’s Disease vs. Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s disease can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, while ulcerative colitis is limited to thecolonand rectum.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and IBD sometimes get confused because they have similar names and abbreviations. They are both lifelong, chronic intestinal conditions; some of the symptoms can be similar, such as abdominal pain, cramping, and changes in bowel movements.
However, there are important differences in several symptoms:
IBD is hard on your intestines and various systems in your body. Over time, and especially if treatment is delayed or inadequate, some people develop serious complications.
Potential complications of IBD include:
Ulcerative colitis increases colorectal cancer risk 10- to 30-fold compared to the general population. The risk starts to increase eight to 10 years after the initial diagnosis and continues to increase over time. After 30 years, the risk of colorectal cancer may be as high as 18%.
Some complications that may occur outside of the digestive system include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you’re experiencing ongoing or severe digestive symptoms, you should see your primary care physician. Due to the complexities involved in the diagnosis, you may be referred to agastroenterologist.
See a healthcare provider if you experience:
Seek immediate medical care if you have:
When to Call 911If you experience any sudden or dramatic changes in your condition or the following symptoms, go to the emergency room or call 911:Severe abdominal pain that lasts for more than one hourSignificant or new rectal bleedingPersistent vomiting, especially if you’ve stopped having bowel movementsDrastic changes in bowel movements without any passing of gasHigh temperature, especially if taking corticosteroids or other medications that might be affecting your immune system
When to Call 911
If you experience any sudden or dramatic changes in your condition or the following symptoms, go to the emergency room or call 911:Severe abdominal pain that lasts for more than one hourSignificant or new rectal bleedingPersistent vomiting, especially if you’ve stopped having bowel movementsDrastic changes in bowel movements without any passing of gasHigh temperature, especially if taking corticosteroids or other medications that might be affecting your immune system
If you experience any sudden or dramatic changes in your condition or the following symptoms, go to the emergency room or call 911:
Summary
IBD symptoms can be mild to severe. Common symptoms include bloody stools, abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, and diarrhea. Over time, and especially if treatment is delayed or inadequate, some people develop serious complications. If you’re experiencing ongoing digestive symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) basics.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.The Facts About Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.Klingberg E, Strid H, Ståhl A, et al.A longitudinal study of fecal calprotectin and the development of inflammatory bowel disease in ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):21. doi:10.1186/s13075-017-1223-2Schiller LR.Evaluation of chronic diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea in adults in the era of precision medicine.Am J Gastroenterol. 2018;113(5):660-669. doi:10.1038/s41395-018-0032-9Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Malnutrition and IBD.Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.Living with Crohn’s & Colitis.McDowell C, Farooq U, Haseeb M.Inflammatory bowel disease. In:StatPearls [Internet],Washington University School of Medicine.Inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome?Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Fact Sheet: News from the IBD Help Center: Intestinal Complications.Yashiro M.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.WJG.2014;20(44):16389. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16389Lewis SL, Bucher LB, Heitkemper MM, Harding MM, Kwong J, Roberts D.Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Health Sciences.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) basics.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.The Facts About Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.Klingberg E, Strid H, Ståhl A, et al.A longitudinal study of fecal calprotectin and the development of inflammatory bowel disease in ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):21. doi:10.1186/s13075-017-1223-2Schiller LR.Evaluation of chronic diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea in adults in the era of precision medicine.Am J Gastroenterol. 2018;113(5):660-669. doi:10.1038/s41395-018-0032-9Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Malnutrition and IBD.Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.Living with Crohn’s & Colitis.McDowell C, Farooq U, Haseeb M.Inflammatory bowel disease. In:StatPearls [Internet],Washington University School of Medicine.Inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome?Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Fact Sheet: News from the IBD Help Center: Intestinal Complications.Yashiro M.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.WJG.2014;20(44):16389. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16389Lewis SL, Bucher LB, Heitkemper MM, Harding MM, Kwong J, Roberts D.Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) basics.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.The Facts About Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.Klingberg E, Strid H, Ståhl A, et al.A longitudinal study of fecal calprotectin and the development of inflammatory bowel disease in ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):21. doi:10.1186/s13075-017-1223-2Schiller LR.Evaluation of chronic diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea in adults in the era of precision medicine.Am J Gastroenterol. 2018;113(5):660-669. doi:10.1038/s41395-018-0032-9Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Malnutrition and IBD.Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.Living with Crohn’s & Colitis.McDowell C, Farooq U, Haseeb M.Inflammatory bowel disease. In:StatPearls [Internet],Washington University School of Medicine.Inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome?Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Fact Sheet: News from the IBD Help Center: Intestinal Complications.Yashiro M.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.WJG.2014;20(44):16389. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16389Lewis SL, Bucher LB, Heitkemper MM, Harding MM, Kwong J, Roberts D.Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) basics.
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.The Facts About Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
Klingberg E, Strid H, Ståhl A, et al.A longitudinal study of fecal calprotectin and the development of inflammatory bowel disease in ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):21. doi:10.1186/s13075-017-1223-2
Schiller LR.Evaluation of chronic diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea in adults in the era of precision medicine.Am J Gastroenterol. 2018;113(5):660-669. doi:10.1038/s41395-018-0032-9
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Malnutrition and IBD.
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.Living with Crohn’s & Colitis.
McDowell C, Farooq U, Haseeb M.Inflammatory bowel disease. In:StatPearls [Internet],
Washington University School of Medicine.Inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome?
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Fact Sheet: News from the IBD Help Center: Intestinal Complications.
Yashiro M.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.WJG.2014;20(44):16389. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16389
Lewis SL, Bucher LB, Heitkemper MM, Harding MM, Kwong J, Roberts D.Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Health Sciences.
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What You Need to Know About Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseInflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) SymptomsHow Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Diagnosed
What You Need to Know About Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Symptoms
How Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Diagnosed
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