Crohn's Disease of Small Bowel : Managing Your ...

Josh Golder, 26, lives in Boston, Massachusetts and is an advocate for persons living with Crohn's Disease. Healthline recently interviewed him to find out what it's like to have Crohn's Disease.

When did you first notice something was wrong?
I was 14 when I started using the bathroom a lot - 25 to 30 times a day. In two months I dropped nearly 40 pounds, from 130 to 93. I can't paint a picture of how bad it was. I missed most of eighth grade. I started staying home and seeing less of my friends. With Crohn's disease your world shrinks - you're constantly thinking about where a bathroom is, what to eat. You start losing confidence.

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Crohn's disease—a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that results in swelling and inflammation of the digestive tract—must be treated with regular visits to a gastroenterologist. Symptoms - while serious - may be managed with routine lifestyle changes, education and effective coping skills. Dietary changes, reduced stress and good day-to-day planning can ensure a normal, active life for anyone with Crohn's disease.

Education
Be informed - learn everything you can about Crohn's. Understanding what triggers symptoms and how to prevent flare-ups will allow you to control your illness instead of allowing Crohn's to control your life. Be empowered to be an active member of your health care team. Discuss new treatment options with your gastroenterologist as they become available. A good doctor- patient relationship is crucial to managing Crohn's disease.

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Crohn's is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bowel and treatment is focused on reducing inflammation. Treatment options include medications, nutritional supplements and surgery either alone or in combination. Complementary and alternative treatments are used to help relieve symptoms in conjunction with other therapies. Treating Crohn's disease effectively is complex - goals of therapy are to alleviate symptoms and to prevent flare-ups. It is important to develop a strong partnership with your gastroenterologist and nutritionist.

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