Another diagnosis

Who else watched Celebrity Big Brother?

The truth is that I actually barely watched but had an interest in a few members so watched it occasionally/while I did other jobs. 

Something I noticed was that we rarely saw Sam Faiers (from the tv show TOWIE). I thought she had been evicted several times as they barely showed her.  And now it has been revealed why.

She has been diagnosed with Crohns disease. I disease I myself know too well.

My first thought was "that poor woman" having to have it announce itself while in the house as besides being a crippling and painful illness when it's flaring, but also having an incredibly embarrassing set of symptoms - which I couldn't imagine showing in front if friends, let alone strangers and the general public! 

It's a disease that is often misdiagnosed and hard for people to understand.  It's comes under a collection of illnesses known as 'invisible' as others can't physically see the disease,  they have to just believe you when you say you're in agony and sudden weight loss for example, has not been done on purpose. Sam was accused of being anorexic (as was I once) by ignorant and judgmental people.

What is Crohns disease exactly? 

Crohns disease: "a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines, especially the colon and ileum, associated with ulcers and fistulae."

There are many symptoms associated with this disease. Symptoms are due to inflammation in the wall of the affected parts of the gut. When the disease flares up, the inflammation may cause one or more of the following:

• Diarrhoea is the most common first symptom. It can vary from mild to severe. The diarrhoea may be mixed with mucus, pus or blood. An urgency to get to the toilet is common. A feeling of wanting to go to the toilet but with nothing to pass is also common (tenesmus).
• Pain occurs in about 7 in 10 cases. The site of the pain depends on which part of the gut is affected. The last part of the small intestine (ileum) is the most common site. Therefore, a common area of pain is the lower right side of the abdomen. When Crohn's disease first develops it is sometimes mistaken for appendicitis. The severity of pain can vary from person to person. Also, a sudden change or worsening of pain may indicate a complication (see below).
• Weight loss that is not intentional is another common symptom.
• Ulcers. An ulcer is a raw area of the lining of the gut which may bleed. You may see blood when you pass stools (motions or faeces).
• Generally feeling unwell, which may include loss of appetite, fever, and tiredness.
• Anaemia may occur if you lose a lot of blood.
• Mouth ulcers are common.
• Anal fissures may occur. These are painful cracks in the skin of the anus. Skin tags (small fleshy wart-like lumps) may also appear around the anus.

So as you can probably see this can be a very distressing and debilitating illness. I wish Sam all the best and hopefully the public will start showing more sympathy to the condition.

Do check out the Crohns and colitios UK charity if you want to help support people with the condition or to learn more about the disease. 

http://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/