Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
How big is this cause?
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483
MEMBERS
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$30
DONATED
Donations to this cause benefit Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc..
Mission
Help and Advice for Crohn's Disease Sufferers.
Positions
- Getting your bowels the help they need
Description
What is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn's Disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. Crohn's Disease can affect the digestive system anywhere along the entire gastrointestinal tract - from the lips, the mouth, the esophagus, the stomach, the duodenum, the jejunem, the ileum, the ileocecal valve, the cecum, the ascending or right colon, the transverse colon, the descending or left colon, the sigmoid colon, and the rectum, to the anus.
Crohn's Disease is not dissimilar to Ulcerative Colitis and much of this basic Crohn's Disease article also applies to Ulcerative Colitis. Both conditions are known jointly as Inflammatory Bowel Disease - IBD.
What Causes Crohn's Disease and Who is Most at Risk of Contracting the Disease?
Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis occurs in, more or less, equal frequency between men and women, and at any age, but more usually, in teenagers up to the late twenties, and lasts a lifetime. Crohn's tends to be more prevelant in patients who already have a history of it in the family. Once the disease sets in, it tends to be chronic (long-term) with recurring symptoms and periods of remission.
No one knows what causes Crohn's Disease. Some research points to bacterial infection as the main suspect, but nobody is really sure. Diet definitely has an affect on the symptoms of Crohn's, but it is doubtful that diet has any play in contracting the disease. The most recent research suggests that Crohn's results from abnormalities in the way the body's immune system reacts to the contents of the gastric tract.
Crohn's Disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. Crohn's Disease can affect the digestive system anywhere along the entire gastrointestinal tract - from the lips, the mouth, the esophagus, the stomach, the duodenum, the jejunem, the ileum, the ileocecal valve, the cecum, the ascending or right colon, the transverse colon, the descending or left colon, the sigmoid colon, and the rectum, to the anus.
Crohn's Disease is not dissimilar to Ulcerative Colitis and much of this basic Crohn's Disease article also applies to Ulcerative Colitis. Both conditions are known jointly as Inflammatory Bowel Disease - IBD.
What Causes Crohn's Disease and Who is Most at Risk of Contracting the Disease?
Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis occurs in, more or less, equal frequency between men and women, and at any age, but more usually, in teenagers up to the late twenties, and lasts a lifetime. Crohn's tends to be more prevelant in patients who already have a history of it in the family. Once the disease sets in, it tends to be chronic (long-term) with recurring symptoms and periods of remission.
No one knows what causes Crohn's Disease. Some research points to bacterial infection as the main suspect, but nobody is really sure. Diet definitely has an affect on the symptoms of Crohn's, but it is doubtful that diet has any play in contracting the disease. The most recent research suggests that Crohn's results from abnormalities in the way the body's immune system reacts to the contents of the gastric tract.
Videos
Displaying 3 of 13 videos.
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Sue
Tribute to Crohn's Disease
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Mandie
Tribute to Crohn's Disease
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Yara
Crohn's project
Hall of Fame
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Nece posted Thursday, August 27 at 12:35AM:
I am 24 and found out soon after our daughter was born that i had crohns. After a trip to TX i was in Agony when they finally diagnosed me with Crohns I was on prednisone for a year blew up like a big balloon couldnt keep up with my daughter and it if i hadn't quit taking the steroids i just might have died come to find out i had a 98% blockage for most the time so when on steroids they were doing there job but they were also killing me luckily in July 08 I went to the ER and the lord sent me a Great surgeon FINALLY and he had me in surgery within the hour he took one look at my xrays and said you HAVE to have surgery I was scared it was the first major surgery ive ever had but it was worth it they put me on Remicade for about a year after wards which took some fighting with Drs to do but I've been in remission since and we now have our second baby on the way which really scares me afterwards that ill flare again
posted Sunday, June 14 at 02:11AM:
I just got dx with Crohn's this past Wednesday. I am 31 yrs old. I wish I knew more about this disease. Any help and knowledge is welcome. Thanks in advance.
Eddie Bling posted Friday, June 12 at 12:37AM:
im 24 and was diagnosed in may of 2008 with UC. does anyone have any tattoos relating to the disease? or know anyone who does tattoos that would resemble the disease?
Kelsey☮ツ posted Sunday, March 22 at 06:25PM:
Hello. I'm 20 and was diagnosed in May of 2008. When I was diagnosed, I weighed a measly 98 lbs. I was 122 lbs before I lost all that weigh because of crohn's. I really think i've had it all my life though. I still struggle with trying to feel healthy. I have been on a diet and chicken seems to be the only meat that doesn't bother me. I don't let crohn's disease get to me, I just live my life like I would if I didn't have crohn's.
~Lori~ posted Sunday, February 15 at 01:43AM:
Hi everyone! I was diagnosed with Chron's in December 2008. I have had problems for years. I was just wondering if anyone else on here was a vegetarian as well. I would like to talk to someone who has Chron's and is also a vegerarian. I need some ideas of what kind of diet I need to be on for some relief. I already know that I can't have much dairy. I get my proteins through beans and veggie "meats"
Sylvia and Justin YOU CANNOT BRING THIS LOVE DOWN! posted Thursday, January 29 at 01:15AM:
Did your doctor put you on a certain diet or that?If not then I can probably give you a few pointers.Just hit me up on myspace.Take care
dan Kellems posted Thursday, January 29 at 12:17AM:
Hey I have had crohns for only one year im 25 and think its coming back again can any one help to tell me what I can do to eat and keep in remission im tired of feeling like crap.
Sylvia and Justin YOU CANNOT BRING THIS LOVE DOWN! posted Wednesday, January 28 at 08:51PM:
I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis at 12yrs old.I had gotten food posioning and they had thought I had started my period when I was in the hospital.I was in there for a week and they still didn't know what was wrong.My last day of 6th grade I went and seen a gastrologist who never treated children patients before.He diagnosed me and did all he could but I continued to bleed.SO I was sent the the University of Michigan Hospital.I have no relatives with the disease or even anything similiar.They said mine was environmental.I nearly lost my life twice once when I was 16 and I bleed so much after surgery my heart flat lined for a minute and the second actually right when my then finacee(now husband) was deploying to Iraq.He was not premitted to stay back as I was not his wife yet.I then had all my large intestine and rectum removed.I premenantly have an ileostomy.I was given at 16 till I was 22 years.I am now married and as healthy as can be at 24.I was in remission for the last 8 1/2 months the longest I have ever been but since my husband I have moved I have been taken out of remission.Just alot of stress with moving and meeting new people.I don't know anyone here still but I am getting better.I wouldn't however change anything that has come my way.I have a wonderful husband who juggles the ARMY and having a disabled wife the best anyone can.We plan on adopting a child from MI because I am unable to have them with 14 surgeries to my stomach and too much strain. But if you live in the Ft.Lewis area maybe you can write me.Like I said its hard for me here.Take care and prayers to all you and your families.
*Tym~2~Zoom* posted Saturday, January 10 at 10:45PM:
I am 28 years old and was diagnosed with Crohn's when I was 15. I was actually rushed into surgery with the doctors thinking it was apendicitis. I woke up in even more pain, found out that Morphine has no effect on me, and that they didn't actually fix the problem becaue it wasn't until they took out my appendix that they saw the inflamation in my intestines. I started a strict diet, strong meds, and lots of doctors apointments. My longest period of time in remission was 9 months, twice, while pregnant with my boys. I had surgery in 99 that almost killed me because post surgery one of the stitches came loose and I started to hemerage, lost a good amound of blood, passed out on the bathroom floor while still in the hospital in a pool of blood. I was then sent to ICU for a couple of weeks and went through 3 blood transfusions. I have been on prednisone for so long that my body has started to reject it. I am starting remicade treatment next week, and would be lying if I said I wasn't scared out of my mind. I have read the side effects, I have read testimonials and I am very affraid of how this is going to effect me. I am currently out on disability from work until we can figure out what can get this under control. I spent from December 29th through January 3rd in the hospital. I have an incredible family, friends and unlimited online support from total strangers who instantly become family by association of this horrible disease. All I want is to be healthy enough to be with my family and not be sick or in pain.
Leigh
Bratt posted October 18, 2008 at 02:02AM:
I was diagnosed in 2000 with ulcerativie colitis after I had my 1st child. I narrowly escaped a colostomy surgery by changing doctors. I have since been through 5 gastro's! I also have pancreatitis and fibromyalgia. I recently had a relapse and finally went to the Dr in June. I had a full scope and was told that my UC was throughout my entire colon...and I now have to have scopes ever other year. I have to be very careful now with what meds I take and what foods I eat.