14 Things that People with Crohn's, Colitis, and IBD Hate Hearing

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a broadly used term to describe certain conditions, such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease, that cause adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract and abnormal responses in the immune system. If a person has UC, only their large intestine is affected, but if they have Crohn's disease, their entire digestive tract will suffer from inflammation.

People who have IBD report that daily routines can be extremely challenging and often painful. Weight, fatigue, and pain are just three of the many symptoms that any number of factors can make worse in people enduring these annoying, miserable conditions. While kind friends and loving family members might mean well, there are many comments about weight, looks, or diet that can alienate or hurt the feelings people with IBD.

We’ve put together a list of a few things that people suffering from UC or Crohn’s disease hate to hear from others.

There are certain things that individuals who suffer from Crohn’s, inflammatory bowel disease, or colitis just hate to hear time and again:

• Those suffering from IBD have to visit the bathroom time and again, and asking them about their frequent trips is quite unnerving. It makes them feel embarrassed that you are doubting their situation when they already find it difficult enough as it is to deal with their condition.
• Those suffering from Crohn’s or colitis will already have an idea about what they should be consuming, but if you try to peer pressure them into tasting something they would rather not eat, this would make them very uncomfortable. It may seem a bit odd for them to be unable to eat the foods that others can simply because of the fear of getting sick, but it is a valid concern for them.
• Similarly, for individuals suffering from IBD, they should not have to constantly explain their dietary needs to others, especially since every individual with IBD will have different needs or eating patterns. Some can take in veggies quite easily, but this may not be the case with fruits. Allow them to make their own food and drink selections instead of imposing upon them.
• As per one data report, it has been stated that those suffering from IBD and Crohn’s have an increased chance of developing stomach cancer or colon cancer, but these diseases are not to deemed to be life-threatening. It is also not a sure thing that someone with IBD or Crohn’s will end up getting cancer.
• Be careful and try to understand the pain felt in the person’s belly, which can often be mistaken for something else. A sharp pain caused in the abdomen is said to be one of the symptoms of IBD, but in cases where the intestines are inflamed and the immune system is compromised, the individual may also experience certain chronic conditions leading to widespread pain throughout the entire abdomen as well as the digestive tract. The pain won’t always be severe, but it can surely lead to ulcers, which are extremely painful and, in rare cases, vomiting.
• IBD should not be confused with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. They are two very different diseases. IBS is essentially a medical condition that can arise suddenly and go away just as quickly, and in certain cases, it can last anywhere from a few hours to a day or two.
• There are as yet no studies that can confirm whether those suffering from IBD or Crohn’s are able to get pregnant or if the diseases can harm the unborn baby in any way. Nevertheless, it is important for individuals to consult a doctor properly before trying to get pregnant.
• Most of the time, the common symptoms of colitis and Crohn’s disease are chronic cases of tiredness or fatigue. The body tends to work extra hard to fight any immune attacks, which tend to occur during serious inflammation flare ups and when there is a lot of blood or water being lost during vomiting or bowel movements.