Experience Journal: Growing up with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Roughly 1.4 million Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which refers to conditions that cause inflammation of the intestinal tract. Children with IBD may suffer from abdominal pain, cramping, blood in the stools and diarrhea. Early signs may include fever, fatigue and weight loss. IBD presents in two main forms: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. While both are lifelong conditions, they can often be treated effectively with regular medication and diet management, surgical care and psychological support. The IBD Experience Journal, created by the Boston Children’s Hospital Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center and the  Department of Psychiatry, includes stories and experiences from children, young adults and parents to represent the collective wisdom of families living with IBD. Here are some of their stories, in their own words. On getting a diagnosis, undergoing procedures and coping with IBD … The hardest part was when I felt all this pain, and I couldn’t do anything about it. When I felt more pain, I couldn’t lie down, and I had to take baths for it to go away. The first couple of doctors I saw said nothing was wrong with me. They had no idea how bad it was. I felt the worst I’d felt in my whole life, but everyone told me nothing was wrong. Even both of my brothers said it was in my head and I was making it up, which made me mad. Child, Crohn’s disease Tests like endoscopy and colonoscopy might be scary, but don’t worry a...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Crohn's disease Experience Journal Inflammatory Bowel Disease Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center ulcerative colitis Source Type: news