For a long time, it was thought that Blacks didn’t have Crohn’s disease as often as other ethnicities. However, recent studies show that this is not the case. Unfortunately, Black people were being misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. Since that’s changing, more people are discovering that they can have this form of inflammatory bowel disease and live well. Once you know what you’re dealing with, there are a few key changes you’ll need to make to your life to handle Crohn’s disease well.
1. There Are Different Types Of Crohn’s Disease
Many times people think Crohn’s disease only presents in one way. There are actually five different kinds of the disease that are categorized by the area in the bowel that’s affected, which also influences your symptoms. Ileocolitis affects the large and small intestines, while ileitis only deals with the small intestine. Gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease affects the stomach and the top of the small intestine. Jejunoileitis is when the disease causes spots of inflammation in the top portion of the small intestine whereas Crohn’s colitis affects the colon.
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2. Your Symptoms Can Vary
As a follow-up to the first point, your symptoms are not set in stone with Crohn’s disease.
Apart from changing depending on the type of this illness you’re dealing with, you may go through periods of remission and flare-ups. A few of the symptoms you can expect include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps after eating.
3. Your Doctor May Try Different Types Of Medication
When treating your Crohn’s disease, your doctor will be interested in relieving your symptoms and controlling the inflammation. Your medical options can start with simple anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids based on the severity of your symptoms.
For significant forms of the disease, biologics and immunomodulators may be used for more targeted therapies.
4. You Should Expect Flares
Even if you’re undergoing treatment, many people with Crohn’s disease experience flare-ups from time to time. That’s because flares can be triggered by different things such as diet changes, new medications, and stressful situations.
During these flares, you may experience stomach pain, fatigue, joint pain, and sudden bowel movements. If this happens, let your doctor