WhenNatalie Haydenwas diagnosed withCrohns diseasefresh out of college, she felt like her 20s were abruptly cut short.
It [was] extremely daunting, she tells SELF.
Your experiences shift from those around you.
Ariel Davis
(Yep, sometimes, pooping your pants is inevitable.)
It can affect someones life trajectory, she tells SELF.
And that naturally includes how your illness impacts your schedule on a day-to-day level.
Some people struggle with finding a job thats supportive of their needs.
Ive had patients drop out of school because their symptoms are so bad during flares, Dr. Chiplunker says.
Read up on your rights atwork.)
Be proactive when it comes to planning meals and snacks.
Crohns disease manifests differently in everyone who has it.
For the most part, eating certain foods wont cause symptoms to suddenly appear, per theCleveland Clinic.
That said, some foods can worsen them if youre already having a flare.
Should I eat this salad with friends, or is it going to cause me to haveabdominal pain?
Prepare for accidents, just in case.
Theres no sugarcoating it: Bathroom accidents can, and often do, happen with Crohns disease.
Mentally, it can be really difficult for people, Dr. Chen says.
Its hard to go out if you dont know if youre going to soil yourself.
Bathroom-finder apps likeFlush Toilet Finder,We Cant Wait, andBathroom Scout Procan also help.
Be prepared with what supplies youll need if you just cant find a restroom in time.
Disposable wipes, toilet paper, and other cleanup supplies are also clutch.
Thinking ahead can offset some stress associated withbathroom emergencies, Dr. Chiplunker says.
She recommends consulting a doctor if youre dealing with frequent accidents to see if yourtreatment planneeds to be changed.
Do a few nice things for your body.
Many things can exacerbate Crohns, but the disease is, in part, connected to stress,2Dr.
Farhadi says.De-stressinglooks different for everyone, but Hayden says being active often makes a big impact for her.
Hayden alsowrites outwhat tasks she needs to handle each day.
Living with Crohns disease can be alot.
Give yourself some grace.
Its okay to give yourself that space and time.
Hayden has learned to listen to her body.
Taking care of yourself is essential whether or not youre having symptomswhatever that looks like for you.
