Severe anemia (low blood count): If a person loses a lot of blood, they may have symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, pounding heart rate or fainting. If you pass out or feel like you may pass out, make sure your doctor knows and you should call 911 or go to a local emergency department.
Kidney stones: If you see blood in your urine, you should let your doctor know. When kidney stones pass, they can be very painful and may require a trip to the emergency department.
Dehydration: If you have a lot of diarrhea and/or vomiting, you can lose a lot of fluid. If you don’t take in enough fluid to compensate, you can become dehydrated. If you have been vomiting and/or having lots of diarrhea, and can’t keep any fluid in for more than 8 hours or can’t produce urine for more than 8 hours when you are awake, you should go to a local emergency department.
Bowel or intestinal obstruction: The swelling that occurs as part of inflammatory bowel disease can be severe enough to cause a blockage of the intestines from scaring (strictures) or swelling. If you have severe abdominal pain with vomiting of dark green or bright yellow, it could be due to a bowel obstruction. Bowel obstruction is a severe problem because it can result in a bowel perforation, or a hole tearing in the intestines. This can be deadly. If you throw up dark green or bright yellow and have severe pain with eating or drinking, stop eating and drinking and go to the local emergency department.
Bacterial infection: If you are on an immune suppressant medicine such as mercaptopurine, Imuran, methotrexate, remicade, humira or any other biologic medicine and have chills, cold sweats, or high fevers, you should be seen by a doctor. If you have a central line or indwelling catheter and have chills, cold sweats or high fevers, you should go to the emergency department.
