1. Significant Urgency
If you have diarrhea, it’s typical to have an urge to go to the bathroom more often. Research indicates that up to 96 percent of people with Crohn’s experience some bowel urgency, even in clinical remission.
But if there is intense urgency to such a degree that you always worry about not being in close proximity to a toilet, that’s a symptom that should get checked, says Dr. Farhadi. Particularly troubling would be waking up in the middle of the night due to urgency, he says. This level of urgency can trigger deep anxiety and distress, he says. It can also be an indication of uncontrolled inflammation that may lead to intestinal damage if not addressed.
“Just because urgency is common doesn’t mean you should see it as a normal part of having Crohn’s if it’s affecting your quality of life or increasing the risk of complications or damage in the intestines,” Farhadi says.
