What’s a progressive disease?

A progressive disease is a condition that can get worse over time like Crohn’s. As it progresses, the chronic inflammation in the intestines may lead to complications such as strictures, fistulas, and abscesses.

On this page, you’ll find info about:

Crohn’s inside the body

Differences in disease severity

Crohn’s complications

Crohn’s progression

The problem with inflammation

With Crohn’s, inflammation can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Additionally, in many cases Crohn’s can progress over time, causing more inflammation. This active inflammation may lead to more symptoms and more severe disease.

How Crohn’s progression can look

An endoscopy is a test that your doctor will use to check the severity of your disease. This test uses a tiny camera attached to a long, thin, flexible tube that allows your doctor to see inside your intestines. While a doctor is needed to diagnose Crohn’s, you don’t have to be one to see what inflammation can do to damage your intestinal lining. Look for yourself.

Understanding the difference in severity

Before a gastroenterologist can determine the severity of Crohn's, there are a few factors taken into consideration. From the symptoms experienced, complications, to how much the disease has impacted your life. To help determine the severity of your disease and make decisions about disease management, your gastroenterologist may use the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) along with other tests.

Mild to moderate Crohn’s

Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
No signs of: dehydration, high fever, significant weight loss, or obstruction

Moderate to severe Crohn’s

Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Abdominal tenderness
Intermittent nausea or vomiting
Significant weight loss
Moderate to severe active intestinal lining disease

Severe Crohn’s

Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Abdominal tenderness
Persistent vomiting

Significant weight loss and marked muscle loss
High fever
Evidence of intestinal obstruction (blockage) or abscesses (localized infections of collections of pus)
Severe intestinal lining disease

If Crohn’s is left untreated, there may be long-term complications.

Crohn’s outside the GI tract

The GI tract isn’t the only home of Crohn’s disease. When the inflammation behind Crohn’s moves beyond the GI tract, it can cause something known as extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs).

The most common EIMs include:

Skin – tender bumps, painful ulcerations, and other sores/rashes
Muscles and joint system – pain and stiffness
Liver, pancreas, and gallbladder – fatty liver disease, autoimmune liver disease, pancreas disease, gallbladder disease, and liver injury
Eyes – redness, pain, irritation, and itching

Whether it’s mild, moderate, or severe…

A goal in treating Crohn’s, no matter the severity, is managing symptoms by reducing inflammation. A gastroenterologist can help by identifying a treatment plan that could help reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms. Long-term treatment goals include improving the intestinal lining and preventing the occurrence of disease complications.

Is there more to Crohn’s? Find out more in Crohn’s Disease Management