Thursday, June 14, 2007

More Folks with Crohn's

More Fall Ill to Crohn's and IBDs.
I read a post on a blog the other day (I would link but of course didn't save it because um I have no short-task ability (surely that is what it is called) these days) where someone called Crohn's the disease du jour. It made me laugh and growl. Usually things I consider the disease du jour have no quantifiable lab results or sketchy made up labs. But in any case, it does seem like everyone and their cousin (mostly their cousins actually) has Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis these days. Is that really because it is on the rise or is it because once you say you have this...other people will confess they do too? Is it because in these food safe times, the symptoms are more unusual and alarming, so you go to the doctor? shrug. Don't know. I know I would be really glad to get rid of this "disease du jour."

2 comments:

Charlotte said...

From my experience the reality is that half the people who say "so and so has IBD or Crohns" actually mean that they have IBS which we know is a completely different kettle of fish. I have been diagnosed with UC for six years and have so far only ever come across two people who also have the disease.

I think, as with most things, public awareness is growing in as much as the names of our illnesses are bandied about more, thus people think they know the disease and what it is.

Part of me thinks "I wish they knew what they are talking about" but another part of me is relieved they don't as I wouldn't wish IBD on anyone.

Cx

TW said...

I know! I always kind of growl about the IBS thing myself. I know I shouldn't because IBS rots all on its own but it is different. Very different.
There is a woman at my workplace who is very closed mouthed about her Crohn's who also has a son with UC and another person whose brother has crohn's (and has been on prednisone for 10 years or something like that). So, I really "know" one person with Crohn's...but yes, often the mother has IBS or some such. (which I think leads to a lot of the "Eat ________ and go take yoga" comments that IBD folk get)