Chrons Disease

The Symptoms of Chrons: Gaining Control-Part One

Written by Aidan Gillen

You have been diagnosed with this life altering illness that is chronic.  You will have to learn to deal with it for the rest of your life.  The symptoms can make it hard to work or even function properly.  You are always tired; a bathroom has to be close at hand, at all times; you have trouble eating; you have pain and sores that never seem to go away; you always seem to be running a fever, and often feel nauseous.  Some days you almost feel human.  However, there are others days when you might question whether you have the ability to face another day.  The symptoms of chrons are the pits, but there are things you can do to start gaining control today. As a fellow sufferer of chrons, I can actually speak from personal experience.   I have had times when I was so sick that my survival was in question.  I have spent a week in the hospital, because 8 centimeters of my large intestine was removed to prevent a complete blockage that could be fatal.  I have lost up to a half pound per day, when the doctors had yet to diagnose the disease and get me on a treatment that would at least slow down the symptoms. Take Charge Then, I found a great doctor that told me to become better informed about this disease that was going to alter the rest of my life.  In addition, I was to start paying attention to my body, so I could recognize when things started going wrong, before the symptoms got totally out of control; finally, he advised a positive attitude.  With a chronic illness, it is vital to keep up your spirits; otherwise, the disease can overtake and literally rule your life. So, over the years, I have learned to listen to my body.  When I start exhibiting increased symptoms of chrons, I know it is time to take action, and not wait for them to get worse.  I do not dwell on the worst case scenario.  Although I am well aware that things can get really bad, I prefer to do what I can to stay as healthy as possible, and remember that I could have been diagnosed with cancer, and not able to see my children grow up.  I choose to look at the glass half full, rather than half empty. The Do Nots When diagnosed with chrons, there are several do nots.  First, do not smoke!  Quitting may be the hardest thing you have had to face, but it is imperative.  I know people that are still lighting up, even if they have chrons disease.  I can guarantee you that their symptoms are often more intense than mine; and they spend a lot more time in/out of the hospital.  Like me, they have been advised to quit.  When they could not smoke in the hospital, they starting feeling better, but once they resumed smoking, the symptoms got worse again. Next, do not drink.  Once again, the alcohol tends to aggravate chrons.  A friend decided half a glass of wine on Christmas, for a toast, surely could not make that much difference.  She was wrong!  Almost immediately, she found herself in pain and very sick.  At the time, it seemed worth the risk, until she had to suffer the consequences.  OUCH!   Finally, do not stress yourself.  Personally, I am a consummate worrier.  Intellectually, I know that worrying about anything will not change it, but I am constantly fighting to change that flaw in my personality.  When I get really worried, diarrhea, fatigue, and pain are not far behind. In addition, it may be time to slow down.  Fatigue is simply one of the symptoms that you will now have to face.  If you are one of those people that are constantly on the go, and you drop into bed every night, you might be causing your chrons to flare up, and the symptoms to be worse.  Listen to your body.  When it starts begging you to take it a little slower, it is time to listen.  You may have to change your lifestyle.  But, you might almost feel normal some days, rather than wondering if you have aged 40 years, since being diagnosed with chrons disease. In part one, you have only read about a few of the things you can do to take control of the symptoms of chrons, instead of letting the disease control you.  Yes, medically speaking, there are some aspects of chrons over which you will not be able to fix.  But, you can take charge of your body and learn how to begin living with chrons.  In part 2 , you will learn some more things you can start today, in order to reduce the symptoms of chrons.  Maybe you will even start looking forward to tomorrow again.

 

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