1)     Abdominal pain – if you have lower abdominal pain that can’t be attributed to trauma and lasts for more than a few hours, it’s best to have it checked. Don’t worry if the pain is relatively mild – you don’t have to be in agony to get an evaluation. Because Crohn’s disease is based on inflammation, this is one of the most common symptoms. Most Crohn’s pain occurs in the lower right bowel and will probably happen relatively soon after eating.

2)    Fatigue – Sure, everyone is tired from work, school, daily life and weekend activities. But if you experience overwhelming tiredness without a correlating reason, then you should speak to a doctor. This is particularly true if it lingers.

3)    Fever – there’s no exact temperature that indicates when you should go to a doctor. But if you’re running a fever for more than a day or two without any obvious signs of a virus, then it’s time to call the doctor. It’s your body’s response to inflammation.

4)    Diarrhea – It’s not just the result of all that exotic food. Your body is trying to purge itself, and the resulting loss of crucial vitamins and minerals can affect your health

5)    Bleeding – Although far less common in Crohn’s disease than in ulcerative colitis, it can manifest itself in your stool on occasion. If you find blood in your stool or the toilet, it’s time to get a doctor’s take on what’s going on with your body.  

6)    Weight loss – If you find yourself losing weight without sticking to a diet or extra exercise, it may be a clue that something else is going on beyond good genes.

7)    Aches – Because your body isn’t processing food in the way that it should, you’re losing vital vitamins and minerals. This sometimes can result in achy joints. If you have no logical explanation as to why this is happening, particularly if there are other symptoms, it’s time to call the doctor