Crohn’s disease greatly affects the quality of life of those who suffer from it. Experiencing strong cramping, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms often reduce the performance and confidence of the diagnosed patients. That is why it is important to have certain tools to cope with this condition.
Because it is an incurable disease, it can generate stress and depression, but the decision to face it and improve the quality of life is in each patient. If you were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease we will give you 3 tips to cope with it but before let’s talk a little about this pathology.
What is Crohn’s disease?
It is an intestinal disease that has chronic and autoimmune characteristics, and until now its causes are clearly unknown. It is said to have genetic causes or is also caused by certain bacteria that the body does not tolerate.
The intestine produces a response to unknown agents so the intestinal mucosa reacts and the organ becomes inflamed. Inflammation can occur anywhere in the digestive tract but usually affects the distal segment of the ileum and colon.
What are your symptoms
The symptomatology varies depending on the affected part of the digestive tract. The main symptoms are:
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite and weight
- Diarrhea
- Fever
Sometimes the symptoms may worsen, be more intense or others may appear such as:
- Pain and inflammation in the joints
- Inflammation in the eyes
- Bloody stools
- Canker sores or mouth ulcers
- Eruptions
- Constipation
- Sores around the anus
In most cases, the symptoms appear and disappear in a few days. The duration of the discomfort depends on the degree of complication of the disease. Some people only experience them once or twice a year. In more severe cases symptomatic outbreaks reappear every 3 months or even in less time.
The complications of this condition can be the intestinal obstruction, fissures in the anus, ulcers, and fistulas. Although it is not fatal, it sometimes requires surgical intervention to relieve symptoms. People diagnosed are at higher risk of colon cancer, so it is important to control the disease.
All this affects patients not only physically but also psychologically. When there are outbreaks of the disease, people often shut themselves up at home because their life dynamics change. They can not go out to work, socialize or carry out any activity that requires leaving home, since this usually causes them shame and insecurity.
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How to cope with Crohn’s disease
Although it is an incurable disease, people can cope with it. Learning to live with it is essential to improve the quality of life and stay healthy for as long as possible. If you have Crohn’s disease, here are some tips you could take into account to address your condition:
1. Know your pathology well
If you want to cope with your illness it is best that you know it very well. Read and learn about it so you understand everything related to it. Your doctor will be a great ally: ask him any questions you have and tell him if there is something that worries you so he can help you.
Involve your family and friends in this informative process so they understand how you feel and help you when you need it. Facing any illness with the people you care about will make you feel accompanied and much better emotionally. They can help you when you feel physically and mentally down.
2. Learn to deal with stress
While stress is not a cause of Crohn’s disease, it can be a trigger for symptoms to appear or worsen. The mind has great power and influences how you feel physically. Do not let stress and worries overwhelm you.
You can practice some activities that give you peace of mind and keep your mind occupied in positive things like:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Listen to music
- Read
3. Know the reactions of your body
The body always speaks, listen to it! You must learn to detect the signals that the body gives you before certain stimuli. When you consume any food pay special attention to how you feel after ingesting it, that will help you to know what you can eat and what not.
Make a list of foods that you can not tolerate and avoid them at all costs so that a new outbreak of the disease does not appear. Eat in a balanced way and follow the nutritional recommendations of your specialist.
You have control of your mind and body, do not let Crohn’s disease take over your life, learn to live with it. If you feel bad, take the medications indicated by your doctor and go for a walk, listen to music or do any activity to clear your mind.
Do not feel embarrassed to suffer from a disease of intestinal inflammation, that can happen to anyone. Continue with the normality of your life in the best possible way of maintaining as a premise that your health is first.
We also recommend you to read this article: http://antidepressantremedy.com/remedies-for-constipation/
