Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
IBS versus IBD
I have IBS. It's different from the disease my daughter has and it can be quite annoying at times of stress. It's one of the reasons I quit running regularly years ago. When I am stressed my stomach and bowels gurgle, become gassy, to name a few symptoms. It's no fun running with sensitive bowels.
In the past, worst case scenarios have included knocking on strangers doors requesting to use a toilet or pulling off the freeway at random exits stalking any gas station or fast food restaurant toilet. I've since learned tricks to cope with this hypersensitve condition and it's something I've learned to live with over the years.
IBD takes bowel problems to the whole next level and a key differentiator is that symptoms don't/can't self correct. They just get worse. Irritation leads to inflammation which leads to constipation, diarreha and bleeding ulcerations of bowel linings. Inflamed and ulcerated bowels lead to malabsorbstion of nutrients, weight loss and general poor health. Steroids and/or immune suppressants are required for healing and left untreated, people can die from complications, easily.
I didn't know much about this until my daughter became ill. Because of her illness, I truly understand the differences between IBS and IBD and am a better person for it. It's a privilege to be healthly. It's a privilege to be well enough to train and run for the benefit of all people fighting IBD today. I look forward to July 18th and our 1/2 marathon run; it's right around the corner.
In the past, worst case scenarios have included knocking on strangers doors requesting to use a toilet or pulling off the freeway at random exits stalking any gas station or fast food restaurant toilet. I've since learned tricks to cope with this hypersensitve condition and it's something I've learned to live with over the years.
IBD takes bowel problems to the whole next level and a key differentiator is that symptoms don't/can't self correct. They just get worse. Irritation leads to inflammation which leads to constipation, diarreha and bleeding ulcerations of bowel linings. Inflamed and ulcerated bowels lead to malabsorbstion of nutrients, weight loss and general poor health. Steroids and/or immune suppressants are required for healing and left untreated, people can die from complications, easily.
I didn't know much about this until my daughter became ill. Because of her illness, I truly understand the differences between IBS and IBD and am a better person for it. It's a privilege to be healthly. It's a privilege to be well enough to train and run for the benefit of all people fighting IBD today. I look forward to July 18th and our 1/2 marathon run; it's right around the corner.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)