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I was once a child not so long ago, so I know first hand what children with crohn's disease should expect. From a parents point of view the health of their child is very important and being told your child has crohn's disease can be a great shock. The child's health is the main concern of all parents and the only way you can help your child is by being extremely attentive and supportive.

What Is Crohn's Disease and what are the symptoms?

Symptoms of crohn's disease in children varies from child to child but I will try and explain what it was like for me. At the age of eleven years old I complained of stomach cramps and my mother and I were continually going back and forth to the doctors surgery. Each time we were told that it was 'growing pains' and that they would subside as I got older. They did not subside, in fact they got steadily worse.

By the age of fourteen I had lost lots of weight, I lost my appetite and the stomach cramps and diarreah were unbearable. I was then admitted to hospital for tests. This is when they told me that I had a bowel disease which affects the intestines, the digestive tract, stomach and anus.They also told me that this was an incurable disease and crohn's disease in children was rare. Crohn's disease in children can occur as early as seven and once treated can reoccur several times during the life span. It is not known precisely what causes Crohn's disease in children or adults; from a weak immune system to stress are all on the list of possibilities. As my disease was not detected very early it also affected my growth.

Diagnosing And Treating Crohn's Disease

After I was diagnosed I had to undergo months of steroid treatment, blood tests, endoscopy, colonoscopy and biopsy's. Crohn's disease in children is very upsetting and confusing. I had to have almost two years off school. Children who are diagnosed with crohn's disease should consider a private tutor to ensure they do not fall behind in their work.

Once the diagnostic is obtained the treatment can begin and depending on the diagnostic there are a few ways to approach the treatment of Crohn's disease for children even though there is no cure achieved so far for the same. The most common approach is to control the inflammation and relieve the pain; there is no specific diet for Crohn's disease but you can control any deficiencies found in your child's present diet as well as the doctor can prescribe medication in case of diarrhea or other stool disorders. After the steroid treatment, I had to have part of my intestine cut out which resulted in a long stay in hospital followed by a diet of revolting tasting milkshake drink for what felt like weeks on end. I am now 34 years old and have controlled my disease by taking herbal supplements such as Aloe MP Plus. My life has changed since taking this and I would recommend it for crohn's disease in children as it is all natural with no side effects. I just wish I had known about it when I was diagnosed as a child with crohn's disease.