Are Nausea, Vomiting And Diarrhea Symptoms Of Crohn's Disease?

Posted on Wed, 5 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 5 Oct 2016 Answered on

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My sons, ages 9 and 12, since the last week of July/Early august, have been either getting nauseous and/or vomiting for a few hours, once every week, or every few weeks. It varies. However, almost always in the morning - , more often saliva and a yellow substance than food (although food has come up) - twice in the evenings for one child and once very early for another (and one son gets nauseous more often - the other has vomited when he is nauseous). Sometimes, but not always, it is accompanied by diarrhea. fecal calprotectin came back normal. they go for blood work next week. This happened once before 2 1/2 years ago, during tree pollen season (march - may). Could it be allergies/sinusitis? or more likely CVS or even h pylori?. Finally, their older brother was diagnosed with Crohns in December 2014. they are seeing a pediatric GI and I am taking them for allergy testing this month. thanks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Either non-specific intestinal infection or Crohn's disease

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1) This is neither allergy not sinusitis
2) Development of same symptoms in two person indicate they share some similar factors, i.e. food or genetics or immunity
3) Your elder son already diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Although Crohn's disease is genetic condition, it require some aggravating factor, which intensify disease and produce symptoms. And that is why elder son developed symptoms after particular food intake.
4) Symptoms in Crohn's disease depends on location of disease, extent of disease and severity of disease. If early or middle part of small intestine is affected then vomiting would be there. If last part of small intestine or large intestine is affected then diarrhea would be main symptom.
5) Development of vomiting with diarrhea to both of them in particular season might be due to food allergy or food-borne intestinal infection. But in view of history of Crohn's disease in elder son, it is recommended to evaluate thoroughly for your younger son.
6) Even in presence of normal stool report, there might be possibility of non-specific (food-borne) intestinal infection.

Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar