The 411 on Crohn’s Disease

Understanding this digestive health illness.

Is Our Health Care System Racist and Sexist? - The Center for Reproductive Rights and Sistersong have accused the U.S. of violating the United Nations' rules when it comes to their approach to women of color. Their report highlights the high rates of maternal deaths and the racial discrimination that these women face in the health care system, writes Colorlines. (Photo: Rick Gomez/Corbis)

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Understanding This Digestive Disease - While we don’t often talk about Crohn’s Disease (CD), it’s an illness that affects more than one million people each year. Read more about this chronic illness and how it impacts African-Americans. —Kellee Terrell(Photo: Rick Gomez/Corbis)

What Is Crohn’s? - CD is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract. Inflammation happens because your body tricks itself into thinking that it’s being attacked, and unnecessarily unleashes white blood cells on your healthy bowels and colon. (Photo: JACOPIN / BSIP/BSIP/Corbis)

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What Is Crohn’s? - CD is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract. Inflammation happens because your body tricks itself into thinking that it’s being attacked, and unnecessarily unleashes white blood cells on your healthy bowels and colon. (Photo: JACOPIN / BSIP/BSIP/Corbis)

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What Are the Symptoms? - Symptoms of CD include diarrhea, pain and cramping, ulcers (open sores), blood in your stool, weight loss and loss of appetite. Other symptoms include fever, arthritis, eye inflammation, mouth sores and fatigue. (Photo: Image Source/Getty Images)

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How Common Is It? - It’s estimated that there are one million Americans who suffer from this chronic illness. The disease can affect anyone at any age, but it’s mostly diagnosed in young people ages 15-35. About 10 percent of those with CD are under the age of 18, says the New York Times. (Photo: LWA/Dann Tardif/Getty Images)

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Blacks and Crohn’s Disease - While CD is more common among whites, our numbers have been going up in the past years. Past studies have shown that when we have CD our disease and symptoms are much more severe than whites. Also, Blacks are grossly underrepresented in clinical trials.  (Photo: American Cancer Society/Getty Images)

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Blacks and Crohn’s Disease - While CD is more common among whites, our numbers have been going up in the past years. Past studies have shown that when we have CD our disease and symptoms are much more severe than whites. Also, Blacks are grossly underrepresented in clinical trials.  (Photo: American Cancer Society/Getty Images)

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What Causes CD? - Doctors aren’t really sure what causes CD, but they believe that stress, diet and certain bacteria may trigger CD symptoms. Also, having a family history of the disease raises your risk of having CD too. (Photo: Willie  B. Thomas/Getty Images)

Complications of CD - CD can make it difficult to use the bathroom, cause serious ulcers, colon cancer, anal cracks, malnutrition and internal fistulas (abnormal connections between your intestines and other organs such the bladder and vagina). African-Americans are more likely to have fistulas. (Photo: David Silverman/Getty Images)

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Complications of CD - CD can make it difficult to use the bathroom, cause serious ulcers, colon cancer, anal cracks, malnutrition and internal fistulas (abnormal connections between your intestines and other organs such the bladder and vagina). African-Americans are more likely to have fistulas. (Photo: David Silverman/Getty Images)

Getting Tested for CD - The signs for CD can look like other issues like colon cancer and colitis, so the doctor will rule out everything by having you take a blood test, colonoscopy, fecal test and a MRI to name a few.  (Photo: ZEPHYR/Getty Images)

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Getting Tested for CD - The signs for CD can look like other issues like colon cancer and colitis, so the doctor will rule out everything by having you take a blood test, colonoscopy, fecal test and a MRI to name a few.  (Photo: ZEPHYR/Getty Images)

Fibrosis + Simple Cysts - These are changes in breast tissue that can occur over time. Fibrosis refers to scar-like tissue, while cysts are fluid-filled sacs. Symptoms include breast lumps, swelling, and tenderness or pain, and they worsen just before the period starts. They are usually diagnosed by symptoms alone. While they typically don’t require any treatment, a heating pad and ibuprofen can go a long way toward easing discomfort. Link to cancer risk: None. (Photo: Ingram Publishing / Getty Images)

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Treating CD - There is no cure for CD, but there is treatment to alleviate symptoms. Doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs to help reduce nausea and diarrhea, immune system drugs, pain relievers, iron pills and a healthier diet. If none of that works, surgery might be an option. Photo: Ingram Publishing / Getty Images)

Won’t Take “No” for an Answer - Abusers live on always getting their way. When you tell him that you can’t meet him tonight or would rather see a different movie, does he pressure you, sulk, start a fight or begs to get his way? This behavior can creep up in other aspects of your relationship, too.(Photo: Thinkstock Images/Getty Images)

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Coping With CD - Living with CD can be very difficult, but there is hope. Watching your diet, lowering stress and being prepared (bringing wipes, underwear, etc., with you) is important, too. So is being open about your illness with others around you. For more on living with CD, click here. (Photo: Thinkstock Images/Getty Images)