What Causes Constipation When Diagnosed With Crohn's Disease?

Posted on Thu, 13 Apr 2017

Question: Hi. My husband has Crohn's disease. He is having difficulty with constipation but there is liquid stool coming out as well. The liquid stool is like sand. He had this last weekend and it cleared up after 36 hours. Should we ride it out again or should I take him to the hospital?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Is he on disease modifying drugs

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the question.

Crohns disease, commonly occurs with either constipation or liquid stool. It should not be considered diarrhoea unless he passes over 3 times a day.
It appears that the inflammation triggered again unable to absorb water and thus letting out as liquid stool.
Is your husband on disease modifying drugs like Mesalazine or any biological drugs like Infliximab.
I suggest to see the doctor again and ask about these medicines.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (13 minutes later)

He is on Sulfasalazine. Not on any biological. We have been managing on diet and that drug, as well as acid reducers. We have never had this problem before. I've never seen stool that looks like sand before. It's too early in the morning to reach his doctor. Are you saying we need to wait through the rest of the night and then wait for his doctor to call us?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not an emergency

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

You can wait to see the doctor with appnt or let the doctor call you. This does not seem to be emergency.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar