Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Symptoms may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Crohn's disease can lead to serious complications if left untreated, so early diagnosis is best. Understanding your likelihood of having Crohn's disease, which this quiz reveals, can help you decide if going to the doctor for a diagnosis is a good step for you.
Only a medical doctor, such as a gastroenterologist, a digestive disorder specialist, can diagnose Crohn's disease. This quiz can help you determine whether it's a good idea to see a doctor about a diagnosis. The quiz asks about symptoms and risk factors you may have of Crohn's disease and how likely you might be to have the disease.
The questions are based on the common symptoms of Crohn's disease. It also asks about risk factors and complications associated with Crohn's disease. Based on your answers, the quiz reveals whether you have a low, medium, or high likelihood of having Crohn's disease.
People with Crohn's may experience periods of increased symptoms (flare-ups) and periods of remission when they have no symptoms.
Common symptoms related to inflammation in your digestive tract include:
Crohn's can also cause complications such as:
Crohn's and (IBS) are both gastrointestinal disorders. While they share similarities, they are distinct conditions.
Unlike Crohn's, IBS does not cause inflammation or visible damage to the digestive tract. Instead, IBS is caused by an issue with bowel function, possibly due to problems with communication between the brain and the gut.
Crohn's and IBS can cause many of the same symptoms, including abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, and constipation. However, unintentional weight loss and bloody stool -- two potential Crohn's disease symptoms -- are not IBS symptoms.
A doctor may use a variety of tests to diagnose Crohn's and rule out other conditions:
The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. Researchers have theorized that it could be caused by an overactive immune system, a problem with immune cell functioning, or imbalances in the .
These factors may increase your risk of Crohn's disease:
Environmental factors that may increase your risk include:
You should consider seeing a doctor if you have any symptoms of Crohn's disease. This is especially true if you are seeing blood in your stool, in the toilet bowl, or on your toilet paper. A primary care physician can recommend a gastroenterologist if you don't have one. If you are concerned about your risk factors for developing Crohn's disease, consider talking to a doctor.