My friend is diagnosed with crohns disease, can anyone give me a life expectancy cuz im really worried?

Question

He is 13 and he's had it for about 4-5 months, he told me that it wont affect his life but i think thats just what his family told him so he wouldnt be sad, i was told by someone else it will be up to mid-late 20's and i will be devastated cuz my cousin has it to...please someone tell me the truth i need to know, but im not going to tell him for obvious reasons...Thank you so much, this is so devastating to me.

Answer 1

I know about this because I have one cousin and one freind who have it my cousin is 50 and my freind is 60 so no It probly wont kill him.See some of the trhing people with crohns might die from are botched surgerys or poor medical care.Please understand he is going to suffer a fair amount probly and may have some trouble working but both the people I know do work.Just be understanding when it acts up and try to remember to do lots of fun stuff with him even when he cant go out you can still maybe take him some comics or hang out with him doing fun stuff.I have a similar condition but mine is not as bad as crohns so I relate.Sometimes he will want to go out other times he will want left alone so try to respect his wishes.If he has good medical care he may live a very long life.

Answer 2

I have had Crohns disease for over 8 years. I was diagnosed when I was 25 and am now 33. I have lead a very normal life with medication and controlled diet. I can't eat ANYTHING with fiber! You can check the Internet for a Low Residue diet and it will help you figure out what you can and can't eat. I have had 2 heathy children since I found out. I have had my ups and downs from time to time. But, they are usually because I didn't stick to the diet. I also found out the hard way not take anything that it asprin based. There is no cure but, it can be managed. As long as you take care of yourself you should live a long and healthy life.

Answer 3

Crohn's disease is a chronic, or long-term, inflammation of part of the digestive tract. The part most commonly affected is the final section of the small intestine, although patchy inflammation can occur anywhere in the intestines. The cause of the disease is not known, but it does not seem to be either hereditary or infectious. It begins with the development of patches of inflammation in the intestinal wall, which sometimes grow or spread from one part of the digestive system to another, and sometimes develop in only one place. Some of the spots heal, but they may leave scar tissue that thickens intestinal walls and narrows the passageways.

If repeated attacks have scarred and narrowed your intestines so badly that the inflammation does not respond to drug treatment. you will probably need surgery to remove the section of intestine that is most affected. Occationally an ileostomy is necessary. Surgery cannot cure Crohn's disease, but it can provide dramatic improvement and postpone further progress of the disease for many years.

Answer 4

I've had it since I was 8 years old and I'm 56. Crohn's is treatable. Life expectancy should be normal. Much depends on the severity of the disease.

Answer 5

Its not a terminal disease. I know 3 people that have it and 2 have had it for quite a while. One had to have surgery on her intestines and they all have flair ups now and then and have to watch what they eat but are otherwise very healthy.

Check out the link below for info on it.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/crohns-disease/DS00104

Answer 6

Digestive Wellness - Elizabeth Lipski - is a must-read for anyone with this problem. It is a gold mine of info and advice.
Good luck!

Answer 7

Crohn's disease is NOT fatal. Easily managed.

http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/uf6003

Answer 8

Many people live long lives with Crohn's disease.It is not a death sentence

Answer 9

If you want to have some fun, tell him to not take his meds for a couple days.

The farts will be louder than a Mack Truck during rush hour.

Good times, good times...