A bit about crohn's disease

You can learn more about Crohn's Disease and the inflammatory bowel diseases at the website of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). But I will give you a quick overview.

Crohn's Disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. While symptoms vary from patient to patient and some may be more common than others, the tell-tale symptoms include: abdominal cramps and pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgent need to move bowels, sensation of incomplete evacuation, and constipation, which can lead to bowel obstruction.

People suffering from Crohn’s often experience loss of appetite and may lose weight as a result. A feeling of low energy and fatigue is also common.  Some people may also experience joint pain, night sweats, and loss of normal menstrual cycle. Among younger children, Crohn's may delay growth and development.

If you think you are showing signs of Crohn’s Disease symptoms, see your doctor. Only proper testing can give you a diagnosis.

As with other inflammatory, auto-immune diseases, there are good times, known as remissions, when you might not even notice symptoms, and times when the disease can be painful, exhausting, embarrassing, scary, and gross. You never know how long either state will last.  You live knowing the illness is with you for life, and might flare up at any time.  And the treatments sometimes have as many unpleasant symptoms as the disease. 

There have been huge advances in knowledge since I was diagnosed, and there are many more treatment options.  In the words of CCFA, “by understanding your body and managing your symptoms, you can live a full and rewarding life.” While so far, at least, the cause has yet to be determined nor has a cure been found, thanks to organizations like CCFA, it’s not just possible, but easy to find support on sites such as:  www.ccfacommunity.org and www.crohnsforum.com.