Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel condition that affects a large number of Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 1.3-million people in the country are living with a form of irritable bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s and Colitis.
That equates to up to 200-existing cases of Crohn’s per 100,000-people, with up to 15-or so new cases of the disease per 100,000 people each year. Let’s have a look at the realities some of the facts of the disease and the realities of living with it with for Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week, from December 1 to 7, 2016…
1. Crohn’s is Painful
While those with Crohn’s disease and other forms of IBD have to ensure a bathroom is nearby, there’s more to it than that. HealthLine.com notes the most common form of the disease is called ileocolitis, which is related to the end of the small intestine and large intestine.
Symptoms of this form of IBD include pain in the central or lower abdomen, according to the source. Another form of Crohn’s called Jejunoileitis that affects the upper tract of the small intestine can cause “severe abdominal pain and cramping, especially after eating.” Some types of over-the-counter painkillers can actually make the discomfort worse.