Is Crohn's Disease Considered A Disability Or Is It Not?

Is Crohn’s disease considered a disability or are people in general not really aware that such a disease condition does exist. Well, if you ask those people, who are unable to lead a normal life, eat a regular diet or who have to quit working, because of the disease, I guess the answer will be a resounding yes!

 Is Crohn’s disease considered a disability or not, let us find out more about the disease. It is an IBD or an inflammatory bowel disease that afflicts the digestive tract, especially the intestines. Its symptoms include watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, fever and loss of appetite. Intestinal blockages, ulcers, fistulas, anal fissures are other symptoms that are common. It is said that 1 in 500 people suffer from the IBD. Patients usually are aged between 14 years and 30 years.

 

Sadly, no cures have been discovered and in fact, the causes are not very clear. Some attribute it to an auto immune system defect, triggered by bacteria. Genetics, diets rich in saturated fats and refined flour are also said to be causative factors. Diets rich in sugar and smoking are also said to be other causes.

 

There are many drugs used in treating the condition, but none of them can actually cure the diseases and may only relieve some of the symptoms. These drugs are some times ineffective and most of them have serious side effects, such as, lowered sperm counts, nausea, glaucoma, cataract, and high blood pressure.

 

There are various alternative treatments being tried, such as, acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, herbal remedies, exercise, but mainly people have begun to rely on diet therapy.

The key to managing the disease and controlling it seems to be ingestion of a carefully formulated customized diet, for each individual patient. It helps a lot, if the patients put some effort in identifying foodstuff that aggravates their conditions. It is also necessary to increase their fluid intake and to ensure that they receive supplements of essential vitamins and minerals.

 

Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as, flax seed oil, fish such as salmon and mackerel are recommended, as they greatly diminish inflammations. Sea veggies, barley greens, alfalfa, grapefruit extracts, lime and lemons juice, and fig juice are said to be effective. It is however, recommended that patients do not try any of these products, unless they have asked their physician about including it in their diet.

 

Patients cannot eat fast foods, diary products [depends on their lactose tolerance levels], fried foods, high sugar diets and acidic foods, such as, pickled vegetables and fruits. Smoking and alcohol are a big no too.

 

Is Crohn’s disease considered a disability? Well it seems like the answer is yes, indeed. Patients fail to lead normal lives, as the effect of the disease when it is at its worst can be devastating. Many patients have to undergo surgery for blocked intestines and other complications. At times, they have to be given parenteral nourishment, as their intestine cannot handle even the mildest diets. Some patients, who have suffered severely, may agree when asked is Crohn’s disease considered a disability. But there are those who maintain a positive attitude and do their best to live a normal life and may not agree that it is a disability, but that it is just a cross that they have to carry.