We made the leap! We joined Team Challenge, an endurance sports training program that benefits the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. As someone who has lived with Crohn’s Disease for three-fourths of her life, I have a personal vendetta to find a cure for this chronic, pain in the butt (literally) disease. For you to really understand why I am so passionate about this, I thought I would start by explaining what Crohn’s Disease is.

Crohn’s is part of family of chronic gastrointestinal diseases that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. While it can affect everything from the mouth to the anus, it mostly affects the small intestines or the colon. For me, Crohn’s affects my entire colon. I’m lucky that it hasn’t taken up residence anywhere else. As a whole, not a lot is known about this disease and there isn’t a cure, which is why we are doing Team Challenge. We do know that it is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attach itself, specifically the digestive tract.

The immune system is composed of various cells and proteins. Normally, these protect the body from infection. In people with Crohn’s disease, however, the immune system reacts inappropriately. Researchers believe that the immune system mistakes microbes, such as bacteria that is normally found in the intestines, for foreign or invading substances, and launches an attack. In the process, the body sends white blood cells into the lining of the intestines, where they produce chronic inflammation. These cells then generate harmful products that ultimately lead to ulcerations and bowel injury. When this happens, the patient experiences the symptoms of IBD.  via CCFA

A cause hasn’t been identified but it is likely a mix of hereditary genes, the immune system, and outside influences. Every person reacts differently, which probably doesn’t help the researchers find a cure any quicker. Every person has different triggers. For example, someone with Crohn’s might find that dairy or caffeine cause flares while I can eat almost anything I want (except leafy greens like lettuce). Stress could be another trigger and even that is not confirmed research. There really is so much more we need to learn and understand before we can even get close to finding a cure.

Anyone can get it. Any race. Any age. Any background. Just like with other diseases (and love!) there are no boundaries. There is a genetic factor; 20-25 percent of people with Crohn’s probably also have a family member with either Crohn’s or Colitis. In my case, it would have been my aunt on my Mom’s side of the family. Researches are making huge strides in pinpointing specific genetic markers that help identify the makeup of a Crohn’s patient, which will hopefully lead to a complete mapping of a Crohn’s disease in a person.

There are many medications on the market to treat Crohn’s and other varieties of IBD diseases, so many that I won’t bore you with long names that no one my doctor’s can pronounce. I personally take Imuran, Lyalda, and Remicade. All three combined keep me in high spirits and my disease in remission.

The numbers, you ask? There are an estimated 1.4 million Americans living with IBD right now and approximately 80 people learn they have either Crohn’s or Colitis EVERYDAY. Those affected are mostly between 15 and 35 years of age but 10% are just kids under the age of 18.

I have had Crohn’s for 20 years. I’m not finding a cure for myself. I’m finding a cure for all the kids that I hope and pray don’t have to grow up in the same misery that I did. 

I haven’t even touched on symptoms because those can be rather uncomfortable and, let’s face it, disgusting. Read on if you want to know the gruesome details. If not, you should probably stop here. But please consider helping me find a cure and donate to my fundraising campaign. My goal is 12,600 and trust me, I could use all the donations I can get, both large and small. Donations are tax deductible and can be made securely online.

Now on to the gross part. Shall we list them?

Persistent diarrhea (loose, watery, or frequent bowel movements), crampy abdominal pain, fever, and, at times, rectal bleeding: These are the hallmark symptoms of Crohn’s disease, but they vary from person to person and may change over time. Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss also may occur. However, the disease is not always limited to the GI tract; it can also affect the joints, eyes, skin, and liver. Fatigue is another common complaint. Children who have Crohn’s disease may suffer delayed growth and sexual development.

Some patients may develop tears (fissures) in the lining of the anus, which may cause pain and bleeding, especially during bowel movements. Inflammation may also cause a fistula to develop. A fistula is a tunnel that leads from one loop of intestine to another, or that connects the intestine to the bladder, vagina, or skin. Fistulas occur most commonly around the anal area. If this complication arises, you may notice drainage of mucus, pus, or stool from this opening.

I also suffer from degenerative disc disease, spondylitis, arthritis, sweet’s syndrome, Erythema nodosum, eye infections…the list goes on and on. All stemming from one autoimmune disorder.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again.

It doesn’t just affect your stomach. It rocks your world and tears your body apart.