Fatigue is a common symptom of Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Treating the condition with medication and lifestyle adjustments can help with fatigue. But it’s important to rule out secondary health conditions.
Many people with Crohn’s disease experience fatigue as a symptom, sometimes during both flares and remission. However, fatigue may also result from other underlying conditions. Exploring the cause of low energy and fatigue can help you effectively manage these symptoms.
Several factors may contribute to fatigue in people with Crohn’s disease and some stem from the condition’s
You may experience fatigue with Crohn’s disease for the following reasons:
- Inflammation: This natural process is related to an increase in proteins called cytokines. The cytokines affect your body and may cause fatigue. This might be the reason why fatigue can get worse during a Crohn’s flare.
- Anemia: Some people with Crohn’s disease develop anemia, which means a low red blood cell count. One of the main symptoms of anemia is fatigue. Anemia can happen due to bleeding in the digestive tract.
- Nutrient deficiencies: The effects of Crohn’s disease on your intestines can mean that nutrients don’t get absorbed well. This is called malabsorption. Not getting enough nutrients in your diet can cause fatigue. Nutritional deficiencies, in specific iron, vitamin B12, or folate, are associated with anemia as well.
- Sleep disturbances: People with Crohn’s disease can experience disrupted sleep, particularly during a flare-up when symptoms worsen. Inadequate sleep frequently results in increased fatigue.
- Emotional stress: Coping with a chronic condition like Crohn’s disease can be stressful and may even lead to depression. Increased stress levels or depression often manifest with symptoms like low energy and fatigue.
- Medication side effects: Doctors treat Crohn’s disease with medication, which may cause fatigue as a side effect.
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Factors that may increase fatigue with Crohn’s disease include:
- being a younger age
- being female, or being assigned female at birth
- having Crohn’s disease for a short period of time
- engaging in very little physical activity
- getting low quality or little sleep
- having a high body mass index
- experiencing increased levels of pain
- having anxiety or depression
It’s important to note that fatigue is a complication that can occur due to different physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors.
Additional research is needed to better understand the factors that influence fatigue in Crohn’s disease and how they may interact with each other.
Fatigue is a feeling of extreme tiredness or low energy. Many people with persistent fatigue find that sleep doesn’t completely relieve this feeling.
People who are experiencing fatigue may have:
- lack of energy or strength to do even small or simple tasks
- difficulty staying focused or concentrating
- difficulty making decisions or remembering things
- reduced reaction time, which can increase the risk of accidents
The effects of fatigue can affect many aspects of life, such as:
- Daily tasks: Having fatigue can mean it may take longer or require more effort to do daily tasks, such as washing, cooking, or cleaning.
- Work or school: Fatigue can lead to decreased productivity or performance at work or in school.
- Social: Due to the amount of effort involved, people with fatigue may avoid getting together with friends and family.
- Hobbies: Feeling so exhausted all of the time can mean that activities that were once fun or engaging aren’t as enjoyable anymore.
- Sexual life: Fatigue can cause some people to have a lower sex drive.
A 2019 study involving 544 people with IBD found that individuals reporting fatigue also reported a significantly decreased quality of life.
Other possible causes of fatigue if you have IBD that may not be directly related to the condition itself include:
- increased physical activity or not enough physical activity
- high levels of emotional stress for a prolonged time
- sleep disorders
- not eating a balanced diet
- regular alcohol consumption
- high caffeine intake
- certain types of medications, like antihistamines, antidepressants, or pain medications
- the effects of medical treatments, like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy
Other health conditions that have fatigue as a primary symptom include:
- viral or bacterial infections
- diabetes
- obesity
- thyroid disease
- sleep apnea
- autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- untreated pain
- anxiety and depression
Determining the cause, or multiple causes, of fatigue is important for taking steps to manage it effectively.
Treatment for Crohn’s disease focuses on reducing inflammation and disease activity. Since inflammation contributes to fatigue, effectively managing symptoms may help reduce or eliminate fatigue for some people with Crohn’s.
Some other ways you can manage fatigue in Crohn’s include:
- Increasing physical activity: It may seem counterintuitive, but getting regular exercise can help ease symptoms of fatigue. If you don’t already have an exercise routine, ask your doctor about how to get started.
- Promoting good sleep: Disrupted sleep can worsen fatigue. Take steps to get better sleep by setting up a regular sleep schedule, doing something relaxing before going to bed, and avoiding daytime naps.
- Lowering stress: Stress can contribute to fatigue, so it’s important to try to reduce your stress levels. Some examples of things to try include yoga, listening to calming music, or spending time with loved ones.
- Improving your diet: If you eat a diet that’s not balanced and nutritious, improving it may help with fatigue. Try to focus on whole grains, fresh produce, and lean protein sources. Your doctor can provide suggestions based on your individual needs.
- Taking dietary supplements: If you’re not getting enough quantities of certain nutritious foods, your doctor may recommend taking dietary supplements. Always consult your doctor before taking vitamins or supplements, and make sure they don’t have interaction warnings with your other medications.
- Trying therapy: If fatigue significantly affects your life, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or talk therapy may help you cope. CBT focuses on identifying thought patterns and behaviors that might be causing more fatigue and learning how to manage them. Talk therapy provides a safe space to talk through emotions and experiences.
- Treating other conditions: If you have other health conditions that can lead to fatigue, your doctor will work to treat those as well. Lab tests may be required to rule some things out.
- Evaluating medications: If a medication you’re taking is potentially contributing to your fatigue, your doctor may adjust its dosage or switch you to another medication that doesn’t have fatigue as a side effect.
As you work to manage fatigue, it’s important to be patient. It’s possible that you may need to try multiple strategies or different combinations of strategies to help lower fatigue.
Fatigue is a common symptom of Crohn’s disease. It can result from increased inflammation, anemia, or the nutrient deficiencies that Crohn’s disease often causes.
Physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors can also contribute to fatigue, especially if you have Crohn’s disease. These include high stress levels, low quality sleep or sleep problems, and having other health conditions at the same time.
Fatigue can greatly affect your quality of life. Fatigue might be a sign that you need to adjust your treatment regimen for Crohn’s disease. Talk with your doctor about options for managing fatigue as a Crohn’s disease symptom or to determine if your fatigue has another cause.
