While it might be expected that this sort of event might have morning-after consequences, Jane couldn’t attribute her physical condition the next day to a hangover. Her abdomen had a dull ache, and she was achy and feverish. That’s when she made the decision to visit her doctor.
The doctor did a full physical exam and a blood test. He discovered a high white blood cell count, which indicates inflammation in the body. He also recommended a series of tests, including a stool sample.
That week became a blur of tests. Jane had a colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, and after all the tests, the doctor came back with some bad news. It appeared that Jane had Crohn’s disease. The doctor explained that Crohn’s disease is an inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, which sometimes can cause micro perforations and fistulae. The inflamed tract was causing Jane’s fever and abdominal distress, leading to diarrhea.
One to 10 people per 100,000 suffer from Crohn's disease. No one knows how it starts, but the good news was it can be managed and a normal lifestyle achieved with just a little sacrifice and compromise.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?
Think you might have Crohn’s disease? Only a doctor and medical testing can provide real evidence. But you should consult a medical professional if you have the following symptoms:
1) Abdominal pain – if you have lower abdominal pain that can’t be attributed to trauma and lasts for more than a few hours, it’s best to have it checked. Don’t worry if the pain is relatively mild – you don’t have to be in agony to get an evaluation. Because Crohn’s disease is based on inflammation, this is one of the most common symptoms. Most Crohn’s pain occurs in the lower right bowel and will probably happen relatively soon after eating.
2) Fatigue – Sure, everyone is tired from work, school, daily life and weekend activities. But if you experience overwhelming tiredness without a correlating reason, then you should speak to a doctor. This is particularly true if it lingers.
3) Fever – there’s no exact temperature that indicates when you should go to a doctor. But if you’re running a fever for more than a day or two without any obvious signs of a virus, then it’s time to call the doctor. It’s your body’s response to inflammation.
4) Diarrhea – It’s not just the result of all that exotic food. Your body is trying to purge itself, and the resulting loss of crucial vitamins and minerals can affect your health
5) Bleeding – Although far less common in Crohn’s disease than in ulcerative colitis, it can manifest itself in your stool on occasion. If you find blood in your stool or the toilet, it’s time to get a doctor’s take on what’s going on with your body.
6) Weight loss – If you find yourself losing weight without sticking to a diet or extra exercise, it may be a clue that something else is going on beyond good genes.
7) Aches – Because your body isn’t processing food in the way that it should, you’re losing vital vitamins and minerals. This sometimes can result in achy joints. If you have no logical explanation as to why this is happening, particularly if there are other symptoms, it’s time to call the doctor
8) Bloating and vomiting – The advance of Crohn’s disease can play having with your intestines, resulting in bloating and food rejection. Chances are, you would have noticed other symptoms before this stage of symptoms, but it’s the final warning light that something serious is going on with your body.
THERE IS HOPE FOR TREATMENT
Depending on the severity of your Crohn’s disease, there are several treatments. Most involve medicines that will calm the inflammation. Then it’s a matter of regulating diet, exercise and stress to calm the condition. More advanced stages can lead to treatment with steroids, both topical and oral. If that fails, then surgery may be necessary, particularly with severe perforations or obstructions in the bowel that haven’t responded to medicine.
Whatever the diagnosis, it’s important that you visit your medical professional and discuss your symptoms. As with any inflammation, the earlier the treatment, the better. Many people live relatively normal lives with Crohn’s disease. There’s no reason you can’t be one of them.