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crohn’s disease

Read and learn more about crohn’s disease. For more, visit the Crohn’s Disease website DrCrohns.org

Q: When comparing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which of the following is TRUE?
A. the cause of Crohn’s disease is known, whereas the cause of ulcerative coitis isnt known.
B. Ulcreative colitis is remitting, whereas Crohns disease is constant.
C.Patints with both conditions benefit equally well from surgery.
D. Crohns disease can be found anywhere in the digestive tract whereas ulcraive colitis is generally found in the colon and rectum.

A: D.

Q: What is the link between Appendicitis and Crohn’s Disease?
Hi. I hear there is a link between Appendicitis and Crohn’s Disease? How true is this? I suffered an appendicitis a week ago, and still recovering and am beginning to wonder if it could be Crohn’s disease. My doc said the appendicitis cause inflammation of my cecum too. Any medical advice out there?

A: Your appendix is part of the lymphatic system and crohn’s disease is primarily due to parasites in the intestines due to dysbiosis. The human pathogens found in pasteurized milk from grain fed cows you buy in the store has about 2 – 3% of these human pathogens that survive the heat process. The altered calcium and damaged proteins from pasteurization along with the highly inflammatory milk as a result of feeding the cows grains is a big factor as well. 92% of all crohn’s disease patients have this bacteria in their intestines.

If you look at the pathetic products manufacturers are making for crohn’s patients, it is no wonder this is a chronic illness that requires a life time of drug use to treat the symptoms. Cleaning up the intestines, removing the parasites, getting on a good nutritional diet, and making the digestive system work like it should is the answer, not drugs or surgery.

An inflamed appendix is just that, it is an inflamed body part. Most likely it is inflamed for the same reasons crohn’s disease is there, but is not the cause of crohn’s. The lymphatic system, that the appendix is part of, can be clogged and bogged down with dead cancer cells, debris that the body is trying to eliminate. The lymphatic system has NO pump like the circulatory system does (the heart), so it relies on exercise and movement to help the lymph flow along. You can also take herbs like devil’s claw or cat’s claw to help lymphatic movement.

The medical advice for crohn’s is not good and that should be obvious because they can never seem to help anyone get rid of the disease, just treat the symptoms.

good luck to you

Q: What is the difference between Crohn’s disease and Ulceretive colitis?
How to recognize Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis right away?
I appreciate your help.

A: It is very difficult to distinguish between CD and UC based on clinical inspection alone, as both are inflammatory processes that may cause diarrhea and bleeding. However, CD causes involvement of any part of the GI tract, from mouth to anus, and thus manifestations of the esophagus, stomach (i.e. upper GI bleed present as black stool), small intestine (malabsorption), or mouth (such as oral aphthous ulcers) are good clues that you may be dealing with CD rather than UC. In contrast, UC is limited to the colon and thus will not cause the extracolonic effects I mentioned.

Patient information may also help, as CD is seen in younger people (with high prevalence in Jewish people), while UC is most commonly seen in older people.

Otherwise, definitive diagnosis is based on endoscopic and histological evidence of specific etiology.

Q: What is the typical length of a hospital stay when being tested for Crohn’s disease?
My boyfriend was put in the hospital on Thursday, and he says the doctors want to test him for Crohn’s disease. The thing is though, it doesnt seem like their really doing anything. He says they want him to stay there till the gastroenterologist sees him and does tests, but he hasnt seen the gastroeinterolist yet, and basically he’s just sitting there in the hospital WAITING. He also doesnt even feel sick at all anymore, hasnt since yesterday. How long does it typically take to be tested for Crohn’s disease, and how long should he be in the hospital for?

A: It depends on the doctor. The hospital cannot do anything without the doctor. The tests themselves
are often done on an out patient basis. They maybe trying to regulate his diet in the hospital.

Q: What is the worst that can happen if you have Crohn’s disease and take senna?
Senna in laxative form, that is.
I see warnings that say do not take senna if you have Crohn’s disease, but I would like to know what can happen, worst case scenario.

Would appreciate advice from a doctor especially.

Thank you for your time.

A: Not a Doc, just another Crohn’s patient. Senna can aggravate and/or cause serious flare ups with Crohn’s. I’d stay away from it. Doesn’t sound like anything I’d want to chance.

Q: For giving a presentation, is Crohn’s disease an interesting topic?
I’m a student with a presentation on a medical disease at the end of the semester (about 4-5 weeks from now). I’ve chosen Crohn’s disease, but I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s really an interesting disease. Can you help?

A: hi air, I’ve been a crohn’s pt. since the age of 12. I just helped someone from YA last month on giving a presentation on Crohn’s.

Check out the crohn’s & colitis foundation’ site. They have tons of information you can use for your report. I’d be happy to assist w/any Q&A you may have about it.

Contrary to what others may say, it IS NOT deadly. You CAN NOT die from it. You can have complications from it such as liver and pancreas problems as a result from a medication, eye trouble, joint pain, abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, etc. There are newer treatments to get these problems under control. Also, the patient must be very compliant and avoid smoking/drinking, avoid doing street drugs, take all meds as prescribed, keep all GI appointments as well as tests, eat right when feeling well and exercise.

Yes, it may be tough at times, but if the pt. works w/their doctors and complies w/the treatment, they can get into remission. Surgery is always a last resort if the medication doesn’t work or there is a blockage.

Knowledge is power. Definitely check out CCFA’s site, use their live chat and hotline, and post your questions on their open forum. Many folks with IBD can also assist you. Good luck.

Q: Do I have to reveal that I have Crohn’s and digenerative bone disease during a job interview?
I am going for a job interview this week. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and digenerative bone disease about 8 months ago. Before my diagnosis, I miss many, many days of work due to abdominal pain, joint pain, stiffness and the inability to be too far away from my bathroom. This went on for 4 years before I was finally diagnosed. Since I have been diagnosed and gotten the proper medication, I have both undercontrol. The possibility of a flair up at one time or another is relatively certain. Should I disclose this information in the interview or wait til I have the job and only disclose if a flair up occurs and I am forced to take time off?

A: By law, you do not have to disclose anything. (HIPAA Privacy Rule) You only have to answer truthfully questions that directly relate to your ability to do the job, such as Can you lift 20 lbs. on a regular basis (if that’s part of the job), or look at a computer screen for 8 hours a day, etc. I have Crohn’s and I know the worry that a flare may occur and interfere with your brand-new job and make a bad impression. Consult an attorney or go to www.ccfa.org and look for their book on employment rights for more information, or the government Web site: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/

Q: what are some websites that say that Crohn’s disease can sometimes really be parasites?
links that have statistics or has facts about how crohn’s disease can sometime be misdiagnosed and really be parasites would be really appreciated.
Thanks!

A: hi jelly, i am a crohn’s pt. It is due to the body rejecting the gut and seeing it as a foreign body due to a weakened immune system in the pt.

For more accurate information, check out the Crohn’s & Colitis foundation’s site. It has everything ranging from testing for CD, treatment, surgery, latest treatments, a live chat and hotline run by health care experts and an open forum you can post this question.

good luck. never heard of parasites as I’ve never had them and neither have the others I’ve met.

Q: What age can you operate on crohn’s disease?
My younger brother has Crohn’s disease. He’s about 12 now is it safe for him to go through surgery?

A: Hodel – Not everyone with Crohn’s disease needs an operation. Careful diet and medicines, as needed, often give excellent results. If his doctor (gastroenterologist) truly believess that surgery is required, this will be discussed with the family and the doctor. Operating comes only after other treatments do not give the desired good treatment results.

Q: What are the chances of getting Crohn’s disease?
I’ve been wondering this for a good… 10 minutes. I would like to know the chances of getting Crohn’s disease. I’ve been searching google, but all it tells me is smoking raises it, tells me nothing about the chance without smoking. I was hoping someone else would know, maybe someone with Crohn’s disease.

Thank you!

A: hi range, I am a Crohn’s survivor. You can’t catch Crohn’s disaease like an STD or a cold. It’s an autoimmune illness where the body is attacking the digestive tract as a foreign object and is trying to get rid of it. Medication therapy is used to get things in remission such asa Remicade, Entocort, Humira, 6MP or Imuran.

In order to dx it correctly you need to have a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, endoscopy if it is in the mouth, throat, stomach, blood work (Prometheus is the test you’d need), experiencing symptoms such as blood in the stool, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, high or low grade fever, the big “D” or constipation and blood clotting if you area flaring. Smoking will aggravate it as well as birth control (the pill causes blood clots & when you are in a flare the blood becomes sticky thus increasing the chances over 75% of having a DVT, PE, or stroke).

There have been studies done to see if it is genetic. For more information on that, check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America site. They have all of the latest information on treatments, studies, medical tests used to dx IBD, etc.

If you still have questions, CCFA has the answers. Good luck.

Q: If you have sex with a condom can you get crohn’s disease?
If you are a straight woman and you have sex without a condom can you get crohn’s disease (bacteria getting inside you) and if you let a man do you anally with or without a condom can you get crohn’s disease? I read that bacteria in the bowels can lead to crohn’s and assume that anal sex would lead to bacteria in the bowel. Anyone know the answer to these questions?

A: The bacteria that cause crohn’s aren’t going to get there from anal sex.
But use a condom anyway – there’s such a thing as AIDS!

Q: What is a simple way to explain Crohn’s Disease?
I dont get what crohn disease is. Can you explain it in a simple way so i may understand what it is.

A: All you need to know about Crohn’s:
1- You’re ALWAYS in the bathroom or looking for one
2- Pain, like…if you touch my gut I’m going to kill you and do not move because it hurts
3- Your immune system attacks itself which causes the inflammation which causes the pain and the oooo where is the bathroom!
4- Barium shoots through you!
5- You’re always are tired

That about sums up Crohn’s for you! :P

Pharmacy & Vet Tech/Crohnie

Q: How can I support a friend who has Crohn’s disease?
My friend was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. He is taking medication, going to physio, and learning to change the way he eats. Sometimes he is in a lot of pain and is frustrated with his condition. I don’t want to baby him, because I don’t think that’s very empowering, but I want to show him that I take his pain seriously. What kinds of things can I say to him to show my support and to help comfort him?

Thanks for your time

A: This is coming from someone who HAS Crohn’s disease so I hope I can help.
I was diagnosed a year ago and yes, babying isn’t the way to go. :) What you can do is listen to what he has to say. Even if all he does is rant about how much he hates it, hes telling you because he wants to be heard. Don’t eat foods he used to like in front of him, or drink alcohol excessively in his presence. Honestly, even if its not intentionally, its frustrating. Best you can do is cheer him up with things he enjoys. Like for me, my friends would opt for movies nights that are caffiene-less, popcorn-less and all out tired-high fun (you know when you’re REALLY tired but not). Don’t constently go on about how he should do ‘this’ or do ‘that’ about it. Do be encouraging and a good thing to do is tell him you’ll join his diet plan, take sugar pills at the same time he takes his medication and above all wait it out, because once he gets used to the deal, and his Crohn’s is under control, you’ll be able to find ways to joke about it if he’s like me in any way. Don’t worry, he may be down now, but you can promise him it’ll get better from here. :)

Q: Is the pain caused by Crohn’s disease and endometriosis enough to justify morphine daily?
This girl I know in her early 20’s has morphine every day. We fear she is addicted. She always looks and sounds strung out, she doesn’t work and is mentally unstable. It seems like overkill to me – I know there are things that can be done for endometriosis, but what about Crohn’s? What do you think?

A: hi, I am a crohn’s pt. for 28 yrs. Some crohn’s pt. are in severe pain almost daily because the newer treatments just don’t work for them so they go under a doctor’s care for pain management.

Before you judge this poor girl, she may be suffering w/abdominal pain, fatigue, bleeding, the big “D” or “C”. You just don’t know unless you’ve been in her shoes.

Check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site to educate yourself. There is also a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts who can answer your questions as well as an open forum where you can post this question to others who have IBD (crohn’s or ulcerative colitis).

Don’t judge a book by its cover. I know many folks w/Crohn’s who are on pain management medications because they are not able to take the newer treatments. Check out the CCFA site and EDUCATE YOURSELF. If things get worse for your friend, then yes, definitely step in and talk to her family into getting her help.

It’s nice to know that some people actually care when a friend isn’t well.

Q: What are the best job’s for people suffering with Crohn’s disease?
I wondered if there are good job’s that allow for good handling of crohn’s disease.

A: hi mark, i’ve been a crohn’s pt. since the age of 12.
People with this illness can do almost anything if they are in remission. We are protected by the 1990 Disability Act. The employers have to make certain accommodations for CD pts. in order for them to do their jobs. They can not fire us based upon our illness.

for more information on it, check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America website. They have information on surgery, medications, treatments, diet, and even information on locating a local support chapter. I belong to the one near me & I’ve even managed to have a few business contacts. You’d be amazed at the # of ppl from all walks of life w/IBD who have successful careers.

Also, CCFA has a live chat & 800 number that is run by healthcare professionals M-F 9 am – 5 pm (EST). You can ask them questions & get straight answers since they are up-to-date on IBD.

My last job was a medical biller at a local hospital I frqeuently go to as a pt. in the ER. My bosses were extremely supportive & come to find out there were 2 other coworkers with IBD so I didn’t feel like the odd woman out.

If you ever run into problems at your job due to your Crohn’s, contact CCFA. They can guide you & tell you what your options are.

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