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General health information

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is chronic immune-mediated inflammation that can affect any part from the mouth to the anus, often causing abdominal pain, diarrhoea, tiredness and weight loss. Treatment suppresses inflammation and prevents damage; severe pain with a swollen abdomen, heavy bleeding, sepsis or a painful lump around the anus requires urgent care.

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Crohn’s disease is chronic immune-mediated inflammation that can affect any part from the mouth to the anus, often causing abdominal pain, diarrhoea, tiredness and weight loss. Treatment suppresses inflammation and prevents damage; severe pain with a swollen abdomen, heavy bleeding, sepsis or a painful lump around the anus requires urgent care.

  • Persistent or recurrent diarrhoea, sometimes with mucus or blood.
  • Cramping or localised abdominal pain, often in the lower right side but possible anywhere.
  • Stop smoking and ask for support; this is one of the most powerful factors you can influence in Crohn’s disease.
  • Eat as varied a diet as possible and avoid major restrictions without a dietitian, because deficiencies and weight loss may worsen.
  • Contact a doctor the same day for more diarrhoea and pain than usual, bleeding, fever, weight loss or inability to drink enough.
  • For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.

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