Living With Crohn's

Crohn's disease, according to the Mayo Clinic, is "chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to abdominal pain and cramping, severe diarrhea, bleeding, and weight loss." Because of the invasive nature of Crohn's, certain lifestyle and dietary changes may be necessary.

What Does a Diagnosis Mean for Me?

• Being diagnosed with Crohn's disease can be frightening, especially if you don't know much about it. The first and most productive step in learning how to live with it is to educate yourself on what the diagnosis means to you. Everyone is different and the disease will manifest itself in different ways. For some, symptoms remain mild and minor changes in diet and exercise can keep things in balance. For others, symptoms progress beyond the scope of those modifications. Either way, living with Crohn's doesn't mean you won't live a meaningful, productive life. According to livingwithcrohnsdisease.com, "up to 1.4 million Americans may be affected with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Of those people, 500,000 have Crohn's disease."

  Because Crohn's directly affects the digestive processes, dietary changes are the first and least invasive change when learning to live with the disease. Certain foods, like spicy or acidic dishes, may trigger a flare-up in symptoms. Alcohol should also be avoided. You may also experience difficulty obtaining all of the nutrients your body needs, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Try to eat a variety of foods, and if possible to take a multi-vitamin. Your doctor will most likely recommend meeting with a nutritionist to tailor a diet plan specific to your lifestyle. Since everyone experiences Crohn's differently, there is no one "right" way to eat and speaking with someone who is nutritionally trained can help determine what is best for you.

  Whether your symptoms are severe or mild, having a conversation with your loved ones about the disease is recommended. Be prepared for their questions by having some general information ready about what a diagnosis of Crohn's means and be sure to let them know how it has affected you directly. For some, this will mean having to decline travel from time to time. For others, it may simply mean you have to pass on the salsa while celebrating Cinco de Mayo with your roommates. By telling them what you are going through now, you are saving yourself the awkwardness of explaining yourself later. This is especially true if you are avoiding alcohol after being a casual drinker. Let them know that you appreciate their consideration, but you'd rather they not offer alcohol to you. There are tips and guidelines for discussing your condition with your employer/spouse or friends at livingwithcrohnsdisease.com.

What Does a Diagnosis Mean for Someone I Love?

• If someone you care about has been diagnosed with Crohn's disease, the best thing you can do is to listen. Make it a point to learn about what symptoms accompany the disease and what scenarios should be avoided for someone who suffers from it. Be sensitive to his or her emotions surrounding the changes he or she making. Though Crohn's is a digestive illness, it will affect every aspect of his or her life at some point. Do your best to encourage him or her to talk about it. Let him or her know that though you don't know how it feels to have the disease, you understand that he or she is experiencing something significant and you want to be there for him or her.

  Be courteous and understanding when it comes to changes in his or her life that affect you directly. If your wife has the disease and has to decline that trip to Ireland you've planned for a year because of a flare-up, understand that she isn't canceling to spite you. If your husband has to pass on a company holiday party, let him know that you understand why he can't attend. Make it a point to communicate your concern and support.