What is Crohns?

I guess I should probably tell people what Crohns is... but as I am not a doctor, I feel as though I wouldn't be a reliable source. I can tell you how my fabulous gastroenterologist described it to me - your small intenstine looks like cobblestone (ps - this is a "real" picture of what this looks like but is kind of gross for those; of you who don't like blood or guts - you may want to avoid it.)

Crohns diesease is a chronic disorder where your body more or less fights itself causing an inflmaatiom in your digestive tract. It generally affects the small intenstine and colon but can be found anywhere between the mouth and the anus. There are different types of Crohns disease - but Im not sure which case I have. The doctor told me once but as I was still in the phase known as denial - I wasn't really listening and missed it. I could ask again but whats the point - I have it and since most people don't know what it is when I try to explain it - I dont think using other terms would help.

Doctors dont know why people "get" Crohns Disease and there are all sorts of theories behind it. But there are "triggers" that can cause flairs. For example, with me, its things like stress, alcohol, some types of foods - like greasey or milky things. But that doesn't mean I avoid them. Usually I just pay like heck the next day or two or three or four afterwards.

IF you want more reliable information on Chrons there are some great sites to look at. The CCFA site has a lot of great information on what Chrons is and how you can help get the word out. Living with Crohns Disease has some valuable information on Chrons but it is the company thank makes Remicade (my current treatment) - I feel as though full disclosure is appropriate here. Crohns Online is an alright site. But it does have a book that I gave to someone I work with when her husband was first diagnosed. She was hesitant to use computers and look up information so I gave her the book and it answered so many questions for her that she was really grateful.

These are just some of the sites I found useful. Im sure there are many others out there. If you have a suggestion, please post it here so that others can benefit.