Navigation Home Blog Forum Events FAQ What is Crohn's Disease? Living with Crohn's Code of Conduct Sitemap |
FAQ Is there a cure for Crohn's Disease? No, currently there is no cure. What are the symptoms of Crohn's Disease? There are a myriad of symptoms including: diarrhea, stomach cramps, malnourishment, skin rashes, red eyes, and many more. What causes Crohn's Disease? The cause of Crohn's is not known at the moment. A range of possible causes include: genetics, a bacteria or virus, or an auto-immune disease triggered by certain foods and stress. Will I be able to have a normal life with Crohn's Disease? Most likely you will. Although, Crohn's Disease persists throughout life, most people are able to control their symptoms through proper medicine, diet, and exercise. Can marijuana help my Crohn's Disease? For those living in a medical marijuana state, research says yes it may help relieve pain and will reduce inflammation throughout your body. It also can reduce the number of times you use the bathroom each day. A caveat is that you should not smoke because smoking makes Crohn's Disease symptoms worse and can also cause lung cancer. You should first consult your physician and if prescribed, take pills, vaporize, use cannabis oils, or bake with it. How will smoking affect my Crohn's Disease? Smoking greatly exacerbates the symptoms of Crohn's Disease. It is absolutely imperative that you stop smoking if you suffer from Crohn's Disease. Can I drink alcohol if I have Crohn's Disease? Alcohol causes inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract. It most likely will not make you feel any better. Also, alcohol is a toxin, if Crohn's Disease is in fact caused by an overactive immune system, introducing a toxin into your body could cause a flare in your Crohn's Disease. How many people have Crohn's Disease? In the United States alone, about half a million have Crohn's Disease, and approximately 1.4 million people have more generally Irritable Bowel Disease which Crohn's falls under. Should I exercise if I have Crohn's Disease? Yes, exercise will help you overcome the fatigue that is often times present with Crohn's Disease. Exercise will also improve your emotional and mental well-being. Should I travel if I have Crohn's Disease? Absolutely, do not let Crohn's Disease hold you back from living a full life. There may be some extra precautions that you need to take due to your illness, but all of these things can be cared for if properly planned. Do I have to alter my diet because of my Crohn's Disease? There is a good chance that you will have to change what you eat. Certain foods can trigger Crohn's flares. The foods that cause flares are different for each Crohn's patient, that is why it is very important that you keep an accurate and up-to-date food diary to track what foods you should avoid. I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, is it alright that I am scared? Any time that we are faced with something new in our life that we do not fully understand, it can be a little frightening. The best way to overcome your fears about your diagnosis is to learn as much about your disease as you can. The more you know about Crohn's Disease the less it will scare you. Maintaining a positive outlook is very important as well; staying upbeat can improve your overall perception of your situation. created April 1, 2011 last updated January 1, 2012 |
