How Do I Know If I Have Crohn’s?
Crohn’s affects your digestive system, so many of the signs show up in your stomach and intestines and affect how your body handles food. The inflammation can come and go — sometimes it’s mild, and other times it can be more intense. These changes may happen over weeks or months, so it’s important not to ignore these symptoms if they stick around:
- Ongoing pain or cramping in your belly
- Diarrhea that doesn’t seem to go away
- Feeling tired or weak even after resting
- Unplanned weight loss
- Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly
- Blood in your stool or toilet
These symptoms can affect your daily life, from how you eat to how much energy you have. Knowing what to look for can help you take the next step toward finding out what’s going on and getting the support you need.
How Doctors Diagnose Crohn’s
If your doctor thinks you might have Crohn’s disease, they’ll use several tests to help check for inflammation, rule out other conditions, and look closely at your digestive tract:
- Blood tests
- Stool tests
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopy
- Imaging scans
- Biopsy
When used together, these tests help confirm if you have Crohn’s disease and show how much of your digestive system is affected.