Life With Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an autoimmune inflammatory bowel disorder that affects your digestive tract, anywhere from your mouth to your anus. Symptoms may include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, intestinal ulcers, bloody stools, joint pain, fatigue, loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss in some cases. Because it is a chronic illness, Crohn's can affect many areas of your life.

Daily Activities

• Crohn's disease can affect your normal daily routine. You may have periods of remission, where symptoms can disappear, but there also may be flare-ups, where your symptoms worsen, that can interfere with your everyday activities. For example, there may be times when your diarrhea is severe enough that you may find it necessary to remain at home to be near a bathroom. Severe abdominal pain and fatigue can also disrupt your routine.

Emotional Aspects

• Stress and anxiety can affect your illness and vice-versa. While stress does not cause Crohn's it can exacerbate it. Living with Crohn's can also create stress and anxiety. You may experience depression as you deal with this chronic condition. The worry of having sudden attacks of diarrhea and abdominal pain can affect your pleasure in regular social activities. Exercise and relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga, may help reduce some of your stress. Sometimes seeking psychological support from a counselor or psychologist may help you cope.

Travel

• When you have Crohn's disease, traveling requires some planning and preparation. Knowing where restrooms are located before you go becomes important and can help relieve some of your concern. It may be a good idea to carry a change of clothes or underwear with you when you are going to be out for any length of time. When taking trips, you should make sure that you have enough of your medication with you.

Work

• Depending on the severity of your disease, you should be able to continue working. Having Crohn's disease could mean that you may miss more work due to flare-ups, doctor appointments and diagnostic tests. Diagnostic testing is a method for your doctor to track the progress of your Crohn's. In some cases, severe, persistent Crohn's that does not respond to medical treatments can eventually lead to disability, such that you are unable to continue working.

Diet

• Some foods, such as dairy products, may adversely affect your condition. It is helpful for you to identify those foods and avoid them. Eating a low-fat, high fiber diet may help, although in some instances fiber can also make you feel worse. Small meals and sufficient liquids to stay hydrated can be helpful. A balanced diet with vitamin supplements can help keep you healthy and avoid nutritional deficiencies. You may want to work with a dietitian to find a diet that works for you.

Support

• There are support groups for people with Crohn's disease. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of American offers 40 chapters nationwide. They can offer you online support as well as meetings and seminars in various locations. Hospitals may also have support groups in your city that you can join. Talking with others who have the disease and sharing your concerns may help you cope with your illness.