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Making Crohn’s Disease Patients Relatable

Crohn’s disease isn’t necessarily something that is part of your life. Therefore, it could seem as though it’s far away from you, out of your reach…nothing you need to worry about.

 In an attempt to get more attention cast towards Crohn’s disease, two Wisconsin teens are putting a face on the disease. By reading this article, I was given invaluable information about the disease itself. Did you know that almost 1.5 million people in this country are affected by this condition? It kind of puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?

 What other diseases do you think should get more attention from the media?

Support for Crohn’s Disease Sufferers

If you or someone you know has been affected by Crohn’s Disease, you’re undoubtedly confused and emotional. You might not know where to turn.

 There are tons of online support groups that can help you through this tough time. Here are five of my favorites:

 

1. Crohns Forum

 

2. Healing Well Crohn’s Disease Forum

 

3. MDJunction Crohn’s Disease Support Group

 

4. eHealth CrohnDisease Forum

 

5. Revolution Health Crohn’s Disease Forum

 

Where do you get the support you need to deal with Crohn’s Disease?

Probiotics: The Miracle Treatment for Crohn’s Disease?

I was flipping through WebMD reading up on Crohn’s disease and happened upon an article entitled “Probiotic May Help Treat Crohn’s Disease.”  Well, of course I had to read it!  The timing seemed perfect, as I’ve been writing a few posts lately about probiotics.

 

Well, it seems as if the live bacterium F. prausnitzii shows signs of treating the infamous Crohn’s disease.  French scientists have discovered that patients whose Crohn’s recurred within six months of surgery had a low level of this particular bacterium. 

 

Further tests shows that the probiotic has anti-inflammatory properties even though it doesn’t destroy bad bacteria.  Our French researchers used the bacterium to treat colitis in mice with great results:  less weight was loss and less inflammation was experienced.

 

So it seems as though there may be a new way to treat Crohn’s disease, and I, personally, am thrilled.  In fact, I’m going to call my brother right now and demand the he try out this new treatment!

 

What alternative methods have you used to treat Crohn’s disease?

Altering Your Diet If You Have Crohn’s Disease

As I’ve mentioned before, with IBDs such as Crohn’s disease, it’s imperative that you modify your diet as well as engage in whatever other treatments help to ease your symptoms.  But exactly what foods should you avoid, and what foods should you be sure to keep in your diet?  These are some foods that can be triggers for your symptoms.  Keep an eye out on how they affect your body, and if they do trigger symptoms, keep them out of your diet!

 

• Butter, margarine, mayo, oils
• Alcohol (I know, I know.  Who wants to cut alcohol out of their diet?  But it’s all about health, guys.)
• Coffee, chocolate, tea
• Carbonated drinks
• Dairy products
• Fried foods (see my note on alcohol above)
• Raw fruits and veggies
• Pork and red meat
• Whole grains
• Spicy foods

 

So you’re probably saying, “Come on, Colonista!  You’ve got my favorite foods in this list!”  I know.  It’s a bummer.  But what’s worse?  Missing out on your mom’s fried chicken or having uncontrollable pain and diarrhea?

 

That’s what I thought.

Three Possible Causes of Crohn’s Disease

There are many theories regarding what exactly causes Crohn’s disease. However, none of these theories have been proven. It’s still important to try to understand what factors possibly contribute to the case of this hazardous condition.

1. Immune System Problems

Research has linked IBD to immune system problems, and it is very likely that Crohn’s could also develop due to issues with the immune system. When you experience immune system problems, your body has less of a defensive system against diseases. Studies have shown that people affected by Crohn’s disease has immune systems that react to threats in an inappropriate way. The system may be defending the body against helpful agents instead of harmful ones. Or there could be any other number of issues with ways that the immune system reacts to threats in the body.

2. Genetics

Research has shown that between 10% and 20% of those who have Crohn’s disease have at least one other relative who shares the disease. Because of this research, scientists have done extensive research regarding the possibility of this condition having genetic roots, and they have successfully identified a gene that is linked to Crohn’s disease.

3. Environmental Factors

Environmental factors could also help to trigger Crohn’s disease into existence. These factors include: cigarette smoke, toxic substances from something you’ve ingested, microbes such as viruses or bacteria, and more. To keep up to date with all of the goings on in my world, follow me at: www.twitter.com/colonista.

Do I Have Crohn’s Disease?

As I’ve mentioned earlier in this blog, Crohn’s Disease is a serious condition that affects a large number of people from around the world.  Following are some important facts and statistics to keep in mind when approaching this delicate topic.

 Crohn’s Disease is characterized by:

• • Intense abdominal pain
  • Frequent diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
• Children affected by the condition may suffer halted physical growth.
• The most common age incidence for Crohn’s is between the ages of 15 and 30.
• Currently, there are over 30,000 people suffering from Crohn’s Disease.

 To keep up to date regarding the latest in colon health, follow me on Twitter!  www.twitter.com/colonista

Find Out How Well You’re Managing Your Crohn’s Disease

If you have Crohn’s disease, it’s important that you know as much as possible about your condition.  While reading about this scary disease, I came across a fantastic IQ test to see how well you’re managing your disease.

 If you score an A, breathe easy.  You’re on the right road when it comes to keeping your Crohn’s disease on track.

 On the other hand, if you don’t do well on this little quiz, look on the bright side:  at least you’ll learn what it is that you need to do in order to feel better and healthier despire your Crohn’s.

 So…spill!  How did you do on the test?

Ten Tips to Help you Manage Your Crohn’s Disease

1. Try some over the counter anti-diarrheal medications to help ease your diarrhea and cramps.
2. Stay away from aspirin:  it can egg on the inflammation that Crohn’s causes.
3. If you have a poor appetite, stay healthy by eating smaller meals more frequently.
4. When you have a particularly fulfilling meal that caused no stomach pain or undesirable side effects, make note of it!
5. Smoke cigs?  Quit now!
6. Drink tons of water—you are at a higher risk of dehydration than those without Crohn’s.
7. Talk to your doctor about which nutritional supplements would best enhance your health, taking Crohn’s into consideration.
8. Research!  A well-informed Crohn’s disease patient is better off than a poorly-educated one.
9. If you are having a hard time coping emotionally with your condition, reach out and talk to someone.
10. Put your medications right next to your toothbrush if you can’t seem to remember to take your pills.

 

Do any of these tips sound like they may help you or a loved one out?

Treating Crohn’s Disease with Prescription Medicine

 In an earlier blog post, I talked about treating Crohn’s disease with various herbs.  While this is the optimal method of how to treat your disease and body, it is not always effective.  Some patients of Crohn’s find that using prescription medication helps to ease the harsh symptoms of the condition.

 

Azulfidine and other drugs that contain mesalamine are often used to treat Crohn’s disease and helps to reduce the inflammation caused by the condition.  Another class of drugs that can reduce inflammation are corticosteroids.  This is a harsher medication with a lot of side effects that is typically only used when the patient is having a flare-up or the disease is particularly active. 

 

Another type of prescription drug that is used to treat Crohn’s are immunomodulators, particularly immunosuppressants.  These drugs keep your immune system from causing inflammation. 

 

Other drugs that may be used include:

 

• A biologic drug called Remicade
• Antibiotics
• Antidiarrheal drugs
• Fluid replacements
• Nutritional supplements

 

Do you have any experiences with any of these drugs?  If so, how did they counteract your condition’s symptoms?

 

Three of the Processes Used to Diagnose Crohn’s Disease

Diagnosing Crohn’s disease isn’t as simple as taking a test and awaiting the results.  There are many different approaches that your physician will need to take in order to properly rule out other health issues that share symptoms with Crohn’s, making a clear diagnosis, and determine which part or parts of the digestive tract is affected by the disease.  This article will discuss three of those approaches.

 

1. Physical Exam and History

Your physician will find out about your health history and conduct a physical exam.  There are several findings which may cause your doctor to decide that moving on to other tests is necessary:

·         Fever

·         Pain in the abdomen

·         Bloody diarrhea

·         History of Crohn’s disease in family

 

2. Endoscopy and Imaging Studies

As discussed in earlier posts, the disease can appear anywhere from your mouth all the way down to your rectum.  Some of the studies that can help to identify the location/severity of the Crohn’s include:

• Barium X-ray
• CT Scans
• Colonoscopy
• Video Capsule Endoscopy

 

3. Lab Tests

Lab tests may be necessary for your doctor to check to see if there are any other issues going on that could be linked to Crohn’s.  Some of these tests include:

• White blood cell counts
• Blood protein levels
• Stool samples
• Blood sedimentation rates
• Red blood cell counts
• Body mineral levels

 

Have you ever had to be checked out for Crohn’s disease?  Share your stories here.