Crohn's and Colitis: A Real Disease That You Can Die From

Looking back, I’m not sure how serious I took the words ulcerative colitis, nor did I have any idea what kind of implications these words would have on my life. It’s not that I didn’t fully comprehend that I had a disease, nor was I in denial, but I always thought that I would be able to handle what came along with it. That no matter how sick I got, as long as I took medication for my ulcerative colitis, everything would be fine and I would remain moderately healthy. Maybe I had deluded myself, because I had read somewhere that no one can die of ulcerative colitis. It wasn’t until five years later, when I also read that no one actually dies of asthma, that I realized how deceiving this knowledge was. In some ways it’s true, you can’t actually die from having asthma. You generally die from asphyxia. And to be fair, you can’t actually die of ulcerative colitis, but you can die from malnutrition, toxic mega colon, and colon cancer, all very possible side effects of ulcerative colitis. So in some respects, this knowledge was true, but in reality it is very misleading!

The Symptoms Book

That aside, I actually learned a lot about the disease. My family knows my love for the symptoms book my mom bought at a garage sale. I didn't start reading it until I started having symptoms for ulcerative colitis. The book has been a standing joke in my family, that I suffer from hypochondria because I often have used that book to help guide me in finding out what's wrong with me. Eight surgeries and several hospital stays later, no one really thinks I suffer from this, but it would be something to keep us laughing as I was waiting for a doctor visit. Unlike a hypochondriac, I truly do suffer from physical ailment.

Books like this, and the Internet have been my faithful companions through all my trials with ulcerative colitis. They allowed me to see that I wasn't alone in my experiences. That the symptoms were not caused by stress or diet. Despite all the help from these means, I think I learned much more about the disease outside of the confines of a book.

Don't Just Accept What the Doctor Says

Countless people have shared with me stories of how they were diagnosed with one thing, and later discovered it was Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. Often the first diagnosis is irritable bowel syndrome. If you think it's more than irritable bowel syndrome request a colonoscopy. Even colonoscopies can turn up incorrect. If you don't feel like your doctor is taking you serious, switch doctors. This is your body, your life, trust your instincts. Too many people go undiagnosed for too long. There symptoms get much more severe before it's discovered and they spend way too long recovering or trying to get it under control, rather than getting it under control from the start.

Bottom line: It's not in your head. Don't let people convince you it is. You can't cure yourself by better stress management. Not to knock stress management, I think everyone should learn how to better deal with stress. Plus the mores stress you are under, the harder it will to manage a flare, but it did not cause the disease.

Another great article that compares Ulcerative colitis to Crohn's is here.

IT’S NOT ALL IN YOUR HEAD

Many people in the mid twentieth century believed that IBDs were psychosomatic diseases, meaning that they were physical manifestations of a psychological problem. Even still today, many lay people associate ulcerative colitis as an emotional problem. Countless times through my trials people would give me stress management techniques. I would think to myself, I am way more laid back and relaxed than you, why in the world would you possibly think I have stress management issues. IBD caused by stress has been proven untrue. I know in my life, some of my most peaceful times, I was sick, and some of my most stressful times, I remained relatively healthy.

Although, it is quite clear there is some connection between mental well-being and physical well-being. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s are not caused by mental or emotional problems, or even the way you cope with stress, stress can aggravate it an already existing case of the disease. This is true for all diseases. Those who are under a lot of stress are more likely to have problems with their diabetes, asthma, arthritis; that doesn’t mean the way they handle their stress caused it. Nor does it mean that how severe the person’s disease is how well they deal with stress. Much of it is due to their genetic make-up.

Sure Signs It's More Than Just Diarrhea

Part of the reason that people believe this disease is related to stress is because often times a relatively healthy person will experience diarrhea or an upset stomach before an interview, a hard exam, or other stressful situation. The difference with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's and nerves is it's more than just diarrhea. For one there is a lot of pain associated with these diseases. Another big reason someone may be able to tell that it's more than just diarrhea is that they will see blood.

Granted blood can be caused by hemorrhoids, which can be caused by excessive bathroom trips. I know in my case, the blood was not just on the toilet paper. They do say, even the smallest amount of blood can turn the whole bowl pink or red, but I know, especially right before I had my colon removed that there were times when all I would go is blood. That's why it is so incredibly essential if you see blood, to go to the doctors. If it's just hemorrhoids, don't be embarrassed, at least you'll get a cream to treat it.

Truth is, if you think it's more than just diarrhea, you need to be seen. As I stated, it's not all in your head. There is something going on. Maybe it's just an infection, or a bug, but if diarrhea lasts more than a few days, it's time to be seen. The earlier you get seen, the better you will be able to be treated.

Important Dietary Facts For Those Suffering From IBDs: Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's - very informative!

Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis: It's Not In Your Head - this one was written, due to the countless people who tried telling me if only I learned to manage stress, I'd be able to control my ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative Colitis: An Inherited Disease - some research on the disease.

Who Is Most Susceptible to Having Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis - Tells you how likely your child will get the disease.

Curing My Ulcerative Colitis: Kind of - Ulcerative colitis can be cured, but not without side effects.