Aging and Disease

When a person is first informed that he has Crohn’s Disease, he will have a lot of questions. He will be frightened and he will become depressed. Simply knowing the answers to his questions can help calm him and soothe him.

Question: Is Crohn’s Disease fatal? Am I going to die?

Answer: No, Crohn’s disease is not fatal and you aren’t going to die from it. Crohn’s is a chronic inflammation of the intestines. There can be complications, of course, but you will live a normal life doing normal things like going to school or work, marrying and having children. You simply must learn to live with the symptoms and plan your activities carefully.

Question: Does Crohn’s Disease cause Cancer or make me more susceptible to getting it?

Answer: Crohn’s Disease is not associated with cancer and does not cause it and does not make you more susceptible to getting it.

Question: How do you know if a fistula is starting to form?

Answer: A Fistula is indicated by pain and bleeding during bowel movements. A fissure (tear) develops in the lining of the anus and then inflammation causes a fistula to develop. Fistulas are a common complication of Crohn’s Disease and often become infected. Sometimes fistulas can be treated with medication, but in some may require surgery.

Question: Did I cause my Crohn’s because I’m so stressed?

Answer: There is no evidence that stress causes Crohn’s disease. However, people with Crohn’s disease sometimes experience increased stress in their lives from having to live with a chronic illness. Some people with Crohn’s disease also report that they experience a symptom flare-up when they are experiencing a stressful event or situation. People who find there is a connection between their stress level and a worsening of their symptoms, using relaxation techniques, such as slow breathing, and taking special care to eat well and get enough sleep, might help them feel better.

Tags: Health, Aging

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