Crohns and colitis for my best mate

 Crohns and colitis 

Hey guys and girls, welcome back to the blog sorry it’s been a while since I’ve made one things got hectic and then with work and the current Covid-19 pandemic it all got busy! 

Hope you’ve all been keeping well?! I know I can’t hear you reply but it’s still nice to ask haha! 

This next blog is about Crohn’s disease and colitis which hasn’t effected me personally but has effected someone who I class as a very close friend and I wanted to talk about it and give you some feedback on what to look out for and ways of coping from what I’ve learnt and researched. 

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are both types of inflammatory diseases in the bowel also known as IBD. 

Both of them are conditions that unfortunately are lifelong and are in the digestive system, they are both different types of conditions but also share a lot of similarities. 

In the United Kingdom itself alone there are upto 30,000 people living with it but some also live with it without a diagnosis of either crohns or colitis, the reason behind this is due to the individual feeling embarrassed from the symptoms.

Each person can develop diffrent symptoms along the way but some of the main ones to look out for are :

. Sudden case of Diarrhoea

. High fever 

. Temperature rising 

. Bleeding from the behind 

. Weight loss 

. Abdominal cramps 

And other cases too...

Some of these can become life threatening too and could lead to hospitalisation. This would be to prevent dehydration and also complications. 

What is crohns ?! Well this is  Crohn’s disease most commonly affects the last section of the small intestine and the large bowel, and inflammation can spread deep into the layering of the intestinal tissue. However, inflammation can become inflamed anywhere within digestive system, from the mouth right down to the backside usually, where as colitis is when it only affects the large intestine or the colon, and the outer layer of the colon lining, which is also called the mucosa. Inflammation is continuous there aren’t any of the  healthy spots in between. In some types of Colitis, small ulcers can start on the lining too, which can also bleed and produce pus.  

A big part that can play in this is also the genes in the blood in the likelihood of the disease developing. One in four people with Crohn’s or Colitis has a family history of the condition and research has identified several genes which make it more likely to develop. Many of the identified genes are linked to the immune system too.

My friend who I won’t name as it’s not my place to has suffered with this illness for 11/12 years now and he took a turn for the worst back in March 2020, he ended up in hospital for a long time. He didn’t realise to the extent he had this ongoing problem. He ended up having life changing surgery. Not many people knew about this but his story is also a fantastic thing to read of you either know or heave someone around that is going or has struggled with this before! Below is a small quote of something he posted and I want to share with you and hope he’s doesn’t mind as it is and inspiring story for a inspirational bloke! 

“ So the first 3 months of this year have been the worst physically and mentally. First contracting Meningitis wiping me out over Christmas and New Year and then having more issues with the Crohn's Disease with two further hospital admissions.... 

2 days ago I was fitted with an NJ feeding tube and just shy of 24 hours ago had emergency major surgery on my colon and small bowel which resulted in an iliestomy being fitted. 

By all means anybody that knows me and my Crohn's for the last 11/12 years and significantly from 2014/2015 will know this has been a struggle. Today and going forward brings a new life challenge and a new life change hopefully one for the better! 

To anybody out there struggling with something in life, talk, be open and persevere you will get there in the end!”

This short statement from what he posted with images of his transformation in his life are incredible. I take my hat off to him for what he’s done and also for being the brave lad he is! Your an inspiration mate and for anyone out there who’s been through this I would say be proud of yourself your body and your bag! It’s who you are embrace it! Your doing amazing ♥️ This is You this isn’t anything to be ashamed of either! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻 In my eyes your all winning and including my best mate who this is about ! 

Crohns and colitis are and can both be diagnosed by either blood samples or stool samples to rule out inflammation within the body itself or rule out infection. 

If the stomach is tender too then they can do examinations in that section too! It the case is that it’s suspected then they can refer you for a CT scan or MRI or a X-ray... this is to view the bowel colon and rectum in more detail.

As yet the treatment / cure for this isn’t available but they have found ways to control the symptoms and reduce flare ups and thats by using steroids to have less inflammation there mainly used for short term treatment. 

Colitis can be controlled by aminosalicylates which work for the lining of the digestive system to keep flaring up for happening, 

Immunosuppressants are used along side steroids which refuse the immune systems activity which stops inflammation once the Steroid treatment comes to an end.

If your worried about this or are showing any symptoms at all please ring up your gp or ring an advice line.... it could and will save lives 

Contact 0300 222 5700 

Monday Tuesday Friday 9am-5pm

Thursdays 9am - 1pm 

Please if your finding out or know someone who has had this happen reach out help them and support them your support and guidance will help them find it easier to deal with! 

This blog is for my best friend and I hope he doesn’t mind me doing it... I find him inspirational and find his story behind his journey incredible too.... never stop being you and I’m glad I got the opportunity to hear your story mate! You’ve come so far and will continue to grow ♥️💪🏻