Ever since Crohn’s disease came into existence, there have been a lot of confusions about it. This is why some patients are unsure of what they need to do or what they are not supposed to do in order for them to alleviate their condition.
If you are new to this type of illness, it is crucial that you ditch the myths and know the facts about Crohn’s disease instead. After all, being aware of what your sickness really is, as well as what its causes and possible treatments are, will significantly help you out.
Below are just some of the myths about this particular disease. We will also look into the facts about them.
It is Caused By Psychological Conditions
Decades ago, when ulcerative colitis was first discovered, people where led to believe that it is caused by strong emotional states and some psychological conditions, such as depression and anxiety. But none of that is true. We have come a long way since then and there is still no evidence that mental conditions can lead to this particular disease.
If an individual is suffering from anxiety, depression, or high-levels of stress, it may affect how he or she can cope up with the illness, but those psychological conditions are definitely not the cause of ulcerative colitis. Up to these days, several studies are still being conducted to find out what is really causing it.
It Does Not Affect the Youth
Another belief is that Crohn’s disease is only prevalent in seniors and does not affect the young ones. But this is not true at all. In fact, a lot of children and teenagers are currently being treated. Most of them are below the age of 20.
This sickness hinders the growth of kids and also delays puberty. They may have a hard time coping up with the effects too. That is why they need as much support as they could get.
It Is Not Related to Smoking
It is true that smoking does not cause Crohn’s disease, but the fact is, this habit can certainly make the symptoms worse. And besides, smoking does not do any good even if you don’t have the disease.
Studies show that smokers who have ulcerative colitis and have undergone surgery also had to do the procedure again. While it is extremely difficult to quit smoking, you need to do it if you want to get relief. Your doctor should be able to provide you with some medications and advice you as to how you can eventually get rid of the habit.
It Is The Same As Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBD vs IBS)
Although both Crohn’s disease (under the umbrella term irritable bowel disease or IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affect certain regions of the gastrointestinal tract and they may also manifest similar symptoms like constant diarrhea, they are still two different health conditions.
The truth is, IBS does not cause inflammation at all, while IBD does. You can then expect that the treatment for each of them also differ. With this in mind, it is very important that you consult your doctor, so proper diagnosis will be done. This is essential in establishing the right treatment plan as well.
