Inflammatory bowel disease pain is the result of either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
Both conditions lead to abdominal pain that can be accompanied by diarrhea.
IBD cannot be cured but the symptoms can be effectively managed in most cases.
Illustration by Jessica Olah for Verywell Health
This inflammation triggers the release of pain-signaling chemicals (a warning that damage is occurring).
Inflammation can lead to complications like narrowing of the intestines (strictures).
These narrowed areas cause pain, cramping, and discomfort when food passes through.
Severe pain in the abdomen can be a symptom of many different digestive disorders.
However, these sores can also be seen in other types of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
Pain sparked by Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease pain locations vary by subtype of the disease.
It’s often described as a cramping pain.
Pain in this location is most common with subtypes of Crohn’s disease calledileocolitisandileitis.
Together, these subtypes account for 75% of all diagnosed cases of Crohn’s disease.
This pain often comes on within a few hours of eating a meal.
It’s even more rare for it to only impact the duodenum.
This happens in just 0.07% of all Crohn’s disease cases.
People with this Crohn’s disease variant may have crampy pain after eating.
Pain typically occurs:
Lower Middle Abdominal Pain
A common throw in of ulcerative colitis is ulcerativeproctitis.
It accounts for 25% to 55% of all ulcerative colitis cases.
It primarily affects the rectumthe last few inches of the large intestine, which connects to the anus.
Rectal pain comes from very low in the middle of the abdomen.
Two common types can cause this pain:
Distal colitis accounts for almost 28% of ulcerative colitis diagnoses.
One-quarter of those mistakenly diagnosed with IBD are unnecessarily treated with immunosuppressive medications.
You may also need prescription medication.
Keep in mind that mostnon-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID)products can further irritate the stomach.
Some episodes of IBD pain may be due to constipation and may improve withlaxativesthat promote a bowel movement.
A few lifestyle changes that are more long-term can help to limit episodes of IBD pain.
These may include a lack of stool, bloating, nausea, constipation, or vomiting.
Call your healthcare provider right away or 911 if your symptoms are severe.
The cause may be a serious condition, such astoxic megacolonor abowel obstruction.
Pain is always something you gotta discuss with your healthcare provider or gastroenterology specialist.
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Johns Hopkins Medicine.FAQs About Ulcerative Colitis.
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Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Overview of Crohn’s disease.
2021;38(1).
2023;118(10S):S785-S785.
doi: 10.14309/01.ajg.0000953772.17735.40
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - Commonly Mistaken Conditions.
American College of Gastroenterology.Inflammatory bowel disease.
2023 Jun 22;186(13):2823-2838.e20.
