What Increases Your Risk

Factors that may increase your risk of developing Crohn's disease include:

• Having a family history of Crohn's disease. Your risk increases if an immediate family member, such as a parent, brother, or sister, has the disease.
• Having Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
• Smoking cigarettes.

Factors that may cause Crohn's disease symptoms to flare up include:

• Medicines.
• Infections.
• Hormonal changes.
• Lifestyle changes.
• Smoking.

When To Call a Doctor

Call a doctor immediately if you have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease and you have one or more of the following:

• Fever or shaking chills
• Lightheadedness, passing out, or rapid heart rate
• Stools that are almost always bloody
• Severe dehydration
• Severe abdominal pain or severe pain and bloating
• Evidence of pus draining from the area around the anus or pain and swelling in the anal area
• Repeated vomiting
• Not passing any stools or gas

If you have any of these symptoms and you have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease, your condition may have become significantly worse. Some of these symptoms also may be signs of toxic megacolon, a rare complication of Crohn's disease that requires emergency treatment. Untreated toxic megacolon can cause the colon to leak or rupture, which can be fatal.

People who have Crohn's disease usually know their normal pattern of symptoms. Call your doctor if there is a change in your usual symptoms or if:

• Your symptoms become significantly worse than usual.
• You have persistent diarrhea for more than 2 weeks.
• You have lost weight.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your doctor observe your symptoms or condition without using medical treatment. Watchful waiting is not appropriate when you have any of the above symptoms. If your symptoms are caused by Crohn's disease, delaying the diagnosis and treatment may make the disease worse and increase your risk of complications.

Even when the disease is not active (in remission), your doctor will want to see you regularly to check for complications, some of which can be hard to detect. It is always appropriate to call your doctor's office for advice.

Who To See

The following doctors can diagnose most cases of Crohn's disease:

• Family medicine doctor
• Internist

To help you manage Crohn's disease, you will probably be referred to a gastroenterologist.

To be evaluated for surgery, you may be referred to a:

• General surgeon.
• Colorectal surgeon.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.