The specific signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) include:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping
• Abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding
• Blood in the stool
• Fever
• Low red blood cell count (anemia)
• Elevated white blood cell count
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Urgency to have bowel movements

Other areas of the body may also be affected by IBD. Eyes may become swollen or red, and vision may become blurred. Sores in the mouth may appear. Joint pain can occur, with or without any accompanying swelling and redness. Skin rashes or sores may appear, particularly in the lower legs (e.g., erythema nodosum). In addition, research indicated that patients with IBD are at increased risk for carpal tunnel syndrome and other conditions that affect the nerves.