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. |
