If you are a kid with Crohn’s disease, you probably have a lot of questions. You can ask your gastroenterologist about anything that concerns you. You can also talk to your family about how you feel and how your disease affects your life.
Remember, there are people who care about you and want you to be well. Don’t be afraid to discuss your symptoms or how you feel. Your family, friends and gastroenterologist are there to help.
Why do I have Crohn’s disease?
There’s no particular reason why you have Crohn’s disease. Doctors and scientists are still trying to figure out what causes Crohn’s disease. Maybe someone in your family had Crohn’s disease. Or maybe it just happened. It’s important to remember that your condition was not caused by anything you did, said, or thought. Your body – in particular, your immune system – decides on its own how to behave, and it occasionally makes mistakes.
What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease is a chronic (meaning, you will have it for a long time) condition that causes inflammation in the lower intestines, and/or colon. Doctors and scientists have researched Crohn’s disease and most of them conclude that the disease is caused by a malfunction in your immune system. Your immune system is what keeps you from getting sick and is supposed to fight off bad substances that get into your system – things like bacteria and viruses and germs. Sometimes, however, the immune system doesn’t work properly. When that happens, diseases like Crohn’s can develop.
What will happen to me now that I have Crohn’s disease?
First, you should know that Crohn’s disease can be treated. Your gastroenterologist will work with you and your family to decide which treatment will work best for you. Kids with Crohn’s disease do have certain symptoms like pain and cramping in the lower abdomen (where the lower intestines are) and diarrhea. You could also feel tired and weak sometimes and it may take you a little longer to catch up to the rest of the kids in terms of your height and weight. That’s because Crohn’s disease can sometimes interfere with how your body takes nutrients from the food you eat. There are things you can do, such as following a healthy diet, that can help you deal with your symptoms and feel better faster.
Who else gets Crohn's disease?
About 1.4 million people in America have IBD, and about 150,000 of them are people under the age of 17. That means there are 150,000 kids like you – enough to fill three baseball stadiums – who are dealing with IBD.
Will I still be able to go to school, play sports, do fun things and hang out with my friends?
Absolutely. Kids who have Crohn's disease are affected in different ways, depending on whether they experience symptoms a lot or just once in a while. Although Crohn's is a serious, chronic disease, there are treatments that can help you feel better so you can go to school and do what you enjoy.
Do I need to eat certain foods now?
You definitely need to eat, that’s for sure. You can talk to your gastroenterologist and your family about eating a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals and protein. That means eating your vegetables!
If I start to feel sad or depressed because of my Crohn’s disease, what should I do?
First, it is normal to feel sad or depressed when you are not feeling well or if you are scared about what’s going on in your body. But that’s what family, friends and your gastroenterologist are for. Talk to your parents, a brother or sister or even a close friend you trust. Go see a funny movie together or play a game. Read a book you really enjoy or write in a diary. Remember there are people who care about you and want to help you. You can help yourself too by realizing that you are perfectly able to do the things you enjoy and live life the way you want. Don’t let Crohn’s disease stop you from being a kid.
