Tired? It may not be lack of sleep. Fatigue is a common symptom of Crohn’s disease.
One of the most common symptoms experienced by those with Crohn’s disease is fatigue. Fatigue is not just feeling drowsy due to lack of sleep. Fatigue associated with Crohn’s disease can make you feel slow and lethargic, or too exhausted to do normal tasks. In some cases, you may even find it difficult to think clearly.
These symptoms can be frustrating to deal with and hard to manage with medication alone. Approximately 75% of all people with Crohn’s disease experience some form of fatigue. It can persist even if other symptoms are under control; 40% of those whose disease is in remission continue to experience fatigue.
Even though the term ‘fatigue’ sounds ambiguous, it is important to remember that fatigue is a symptom of your disease and should be treated like one. You shouldn’t assume that fatigue is fact of life if you have Crohn’s. By paying attention to your fatigue and working with your doctor, you can overcome it and improve your life.
Tips for managing fatigue
- Track any medications you take and note if they make your fatigue better or worse.
- Be aware when your fatigue improves or worsens and pay attention to trends.
- Manage your other symptoms – some of them, like anemia, can lead to fatigue.
- Eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise
