The three stages of Crohn’s disease include mild, moderate, and severe. Although Crohn’s is a progressive disease, you may experience some periods of remission.

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It’s considered a chronic condition, which means that you’ll have it for your entire life. The exact cause of Crohn’s is unknown. It most often develops in your late teens or 20s.

Crohn’s disease is marked by inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The inflammation can appear anywhere in the GI tract from the mouth to the anus.

People with the disease often experience ups and downs in symptoms. They may even experience periods of remission.

However, Crohn’s is a progressive disease that starts with mild symptoms and gradually gets worse.

The stages of Crohn’s range from mild to moderate to severe. The earlier you treat and manage Crohn’s, the more likely you are to reduce your risk for developing severe symptoms.

With mild to moderate Crohn’s, you may experience diarrhea or abdominal pain, but you won’t experience other symptoms or complications.

You’re able to move, eat, and drink as normal, and the disease has a minimal impact on your quality of life. In some cases, you won’t even require treatment.

If you have moderate to severe Crohn’s, you may experience diarrhea or abdominal pain as well as additional symptoms and complications. These may include fever or anemia. Treatments intended for people with mild to moderate disease, such as anti-diarrheals, won’t provide symptom relief.

The severe stage of Crohn’s is marked by symptoms that disrupt your daily life. You might be in constant pain and discomfort, and you may need to use the bathroom frequently. At this stage, inflammation occurs often, and your body tissues are at risk of permanent damage.

In Crohn’s disease, healthy cells in the GI tract attack themselves, causing inflammation. As a result, you’ll likely experience a range of symptoms.

Early signs of Crohn’s disease include:

  • frequent cramps
  • ongoing abdominal pain
  • frequent diarrhea
  • bloody stools
  • unintentional weight loss

As the disease progresses, you may start feeling fatigued and even develop anemia. You may also experience nausea from constant irritation of the GI tract.

In addition, you may start experiencing symptoms outside of the GI tract. These symptoms include:

Early diagnosis is important to help prevent damage to the intestines.

If you experience these symptoms and have a family history of Crohn’s, you should ask your doctor for testing.

Aside from a physical exam, your doctor may also order:

  • lab tests
  • an endoscopy of the intestines
  • a CT scan of the GI tract

Medications can treat inflammation and stop your body from attacking its own cells. Treatment options come in the form of:

  • aminosalicylates that prevent inflammation
  • immunomodulators that prevent inflammation
  • biologic therapies that reduce the risk of inflammation
  • corticosteroids that reduce immune system activity

As your symptoms progress, your gastroenterologist may also recommend occasional bowel rest. However, not all doctors agree with this measure.

A bowel rest involves a strict diet of only liquids for a few days. The purpose is to let the GI tract heal from inflammation and essentially take a break. To prevent malnutrition, you may need an IV.

Talk to your doctor before switching to a liquid diet.

Diet and supplements

Although any stage of Crohn’s disease can affect your nutritional intake, your risk for malnutrition is even more severe in the later stages.

At this point, your doctor may recommend supplements. Potential supplements include:

  • calcium
  • iron, especially if you’re susceptible to anemia
  • multivitamins
  • vitamin B12
  • vitamin D
  • protein

A low fiber diet may be recommended to prevent intestinal blockage. It may also help reduce the occurrence of frequent diarrhea.

Pain relievers

If you start experiencing symptoms outside of the GI tract, you might need additional medication to treat those symptoms.

You should avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), as these can make Crohn’s worse. Instead, ask your doctor if you can safely take acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Surgery

Despite consistent treatment, you may need surgery if your symptoms become life threatening. Around 67 to 75 percent of all people with Crohn’s will eventually need surgery, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

Surgery can’t cure the disease, but it may help repair severely damaged tissues and remove blockages.

Severe stages of Crohn’s disease can put you at risk for colon cancer.

The constant inflammation and related tissue damage may also lead to other complications, such as:

  • fistulas, or abnormal tunnels between two organs
  • bowel obstruction
  • anal fissures, or small tears in the anal lining
  • ulcers
  • malnutrition
  • dehydration
  • osteoporosis
  • liver inflammation and disease
  • gallbladder disease
  • frequent infections from taking immune-suppressing medications

You have an increased risk for developing Crohn’s if you:

  • have a family member with Crohn’s
  • have a family history of autoimmune diseases, even those outside of Crohn’s
  • smoke
  • have obesity
  • eat a high fat diet
  • live in an urban or industrialized area

There’s no cure for Crohn’s disease, but medications and lifestyle changes can help manage the condition. This is why it’s crucial to identify the disease in its earlier stages.

Untreated Crohn’s can lead to further complications of the GI tract, some of which may become permanent.

Read this article in Spanish.