So what is my blog all about? The answer: Living with Crohn's Disease. What is Crohn's Disease? Crohn's Disease is an incurable, chronic Autoimmune Disease that belongs to the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) family. Crohn's Disease was discovered in 1932 by Dr. Burrill B. Crohn, Dr. Leon Ginzburg & Dr. Gordon D. Oppenheimer, & can potentially affect the entirety of the Gastrointestinal Tract (GI Tract).
Dr. Burrill B. Crohn
Due to the fact that Crohn's is an Autoimmune Disease the effects are mostly internal & unable to be seen unless the person goes for a Colonoscopy, Endoscopy, Chomeoendoscopy, or a form of Small Intestinal Imaging. These are only a few of the ways that doctors are able to visually see & diagnose patients with Crohn's. Because it can not really be seen it is sometimes called an "invisible disease". In most, if not all, cases though those who are diagnosed experience severe symptoms that cause changes in the body. Symptoms include dark bags under the eyes, weight loss, blood loss, fever, loss of appetite (which in some cases turns into dehydration) fatigue, persistent diarrhea, urgent need to go to the bathroom, Intestinal & Abdominal pain & cramping, & in some cases constipation.
A lot of times Crohn's is thought of a bathroom disease, but if affects way more than just how many times a person has to run to the restroom. I hope that by reading my blog you maybe able to help someone with CD or if you are ever personally diagnosed (which I hope never happens) you can help yourself. If neither then I hope you leave wanting to spread awareness about Crohn's & other types of IBD.
~Kaylee <3