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
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September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

This is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, but there are many cancers that need our attention.  There isn't anyone who hasn't been touched by a cancer; either you, a family member, or a friend.

Many of you may have watched, Stand Up to Cancer.  This is what we have to do stand up to cancer.  Ovarian cancer took my mother because it wasn't detected soon enough, so I have listed the symptoms below.

Many of these symptoms can be causes for other problems, and because there are no sure tests for ovarian cancer you must be vigilant, especially those who have a history of ovarian cancer. 

Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating

Pelvic discomfort or pain

Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea

Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation

Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate

Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full

Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist

A persistent lack of energy

Low back pain

Thank you for visiting my blog this Sunday, and have a wonderful week.

Best wishes,

Sandra K. Marshall
http://www.eirelander-publishing.com