Crohn's Disease

I became interested in Crohn's disease because I know two people with this disease, and one is my youngest stepson. For this reason I decided I wanted to know more about Crohn's disease. 

You're probably saying to yourself about now:  What is Crohn's disease?   It is one of two diseases of the gastrointestinal tract called Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).  The other is ulcerative colitis.  Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract.  In some people only the last part of the small intestine (ileum) is involved, while in others the large intestine may be affected as well. 

Another question might be:  What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease?  Crohn's symptoms vary but can include bloody bowel movements, severe frequent diarrhea, mouth sores, joint pain, fever, body ache, exhaustion and severe intestinal cramping and pain.

The next question you might ask if you have Crohn's disease is:  How did I get Crohn's?   An exact cause is not known, but if someone in your family has it, you're at risk.  Also, people of European or Jewish descent are at higher risk.  Also, smoking makes Crohn's disease worse. 

If you have Crohn's disease you will need to be on a special diet, have a gastroenterologist and be prepared for a possible Crohn's flare, which is a worsening of the disease.  Stress will worsen this disease, so it is important to stay stress free.  This disease can affect women as well as men, although, the two people I know with it are men. 

Here are two sites to go to if you are interested in learning more about Crohn's disease.  http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/d/LBLN/living-with-crohns/launch/?ap=1003 and http://www.ccfa.org/

This link will tell you the foods to avoid if you have Crohn's. http://www.healthcentral.com/videos/cf/ibd/crohns-disease-foods-to-avoid?ap=2000

Crohn's disease is not something you can mess around with, and there are no guarantees anything will work, or keep you in remission.  However, there are new studies going on and one such study is in Phase III of the clinical trials.  

Thank you for reading my blog.  Have a great week, and I'll see you next Sunday.

Sandra K. Marshall, Author

@ Eirelander Publishing
http://www.eirelanderpublishing.com
http://www.skaymarshall.com
https://www.facebook.com/sandra.marshall.98
http://www.amazon.com/author/sandramarshall

Writers and Depression

Depression is a serious topic and effects many people, but for the purpose of this article I'm targeting writers.  The reason, I'm talking about this problem is because I'm an author, and this past week I had a serious bout of dejection because of my books.

Here's what happened, I blogged at a St. Patrick's party sponsored by The Romance Studio from March 13 to 17th.  By the end of the party I had received very few comments even though I post blogs every day and multiple times.  I did get three or four comments over the five day period, but it wasn't enough to keep me from feeling discouraged about my work.  There were others, who didn't receive any comments, or there might have been one or two for those authors, but I didn't see them. 

I know for a fact from talking with many authors that this business can beat you down.  First of all, I want to tell you I have always been a very social outgoing person, so I'm not entirely isolated like some authors (hubby steps in here and drags me out of the house). Some of the things that can cause depression in authors are medical, but for many of us; it's introspection, lack of exercise, irregular hours, imperfect diet and for me the lack of face to face communication with others.  Also, the financial and professional insecurity can add to depression.  In my case, the fibromyalgia doesn't help.  Pain can harm you mentally, too. 

There are authors who add alcohol or drugs, which contribute to depression even more.  Hemmingway was one of those authors.  I believe you could sit a normally happy and optimistic person in front of a keyboard for hours a day without outside contact, no exercise and junk food, and that person will become depressed.

Here are pictures of author's who have suffered depression in their lives and there are many more.

Hemmingway

J.K. Rowlings

Leo Tolstoy

Dickinson

There are many famous people who have suffered from depression.  I would like to add more pictures, but I don't have the space.

There are ways to combat this problem.  Among them are medications, but for me the best thing in the world is to get out of the house and away from the computer.  When my writing starts to make me feel worthless and I think my books are nothing but shit; I go see friends and talk about anything but writing.  I know author friends that I can talk to about writing, so when I go to lunch with old friends I want to learn about what's going on in their lives, and I want to laugh and have fun. 

 Exercise and eating properly is important, too, for the welfare of your mind, and it is definitely something I need to work on, especially, as I have always loved junk food. 

Just to let you know today, I'm at the New Dinner Theatre, so I won't be on-line until later this afternoon.  Tuesday, I'm having lunch with two long-time friends.  Next week, I'll be refreshed and working again until the next time I fall into depression.  Smile!

Have a great week and I'll see you next Sunday. 

Sandra K. Marshall, author at Eirelander Publishing

http://www.eirelanderpublishing.com
http://www.skaymarshall.com