How to Cope With Crohn's Disease as a Teen

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory condition affecting the entire digestive tract; however, it most commonly affects the intestines, resulting in stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea and sometimes rectal bleeding, rapid weight loss, skin problems and more. While Crohn's disease is most common in adults, learning to cope with Crohn's as a teen can be quite challenging.

Instructions

• 1

  Be open with your friends about your condition. While talking about intestinal health may be the last discussion you want to have with your friends, eating fast food, drinking soda and enjoying other foods and drinks that your friends might enjoy are off limits for you. To cope with Crohn's disease as a teen, your friends must understand your condition. Good friends will reduce your temptation by avoiding eating off limits foods in front of you, offering alternatives as social gatherings, and offering support when you need it.

• 2

  Follow the doctors orders so that you might get your condition under control and into remission. When Crohn's disease is effectively treated, you should be able to live a normal life for the most part. As a teen, you will want to participate in sports, social events and more. The key to enjoying your teen years with Crohn's is following your diet, using your medications and listening to your doctor.

• 3

  Let your teachers know about your condition. Because Crohn's disease may be sending you to the bathroom more often than the other kids in your class, make sure that your teachers understand your condition, even planning a visit with your parent's present to help explain. An understanding teacher will sympathize and allow you extra bathroom breaks during class time so that you might get a private moment alone to do what needs to be done.

• 4

  Be prepared for unexpected bathroom occurrences at all times. It may not be the most pleasant idea, but carrying wet wipes, clean underwear and a zip lock baggie for the occasional minor accident can help to keep you comfortable on bad days.

• 5

  Know where the closest bathrooms are at all times. If you go to the mall with your friends, visit another school for a sports event or even in your own school, knowing where the closest as well as the most private bathrooms are can help you to cope with the not so pleasant symptoms of Crohn's and avoid embarrassing moments in front of friends and peers.

• 6

  Learn to reduce your stress through extracurricular activities, getting plenty of rest and adjusting to your new life. Stress is common amongst teen, and unfortunately it is a trigger for Crohn's symptoms. While it is essential that you learn to cope with the disease and control your symptoms, it shouldn't control your life either.