Crohn’s Disease: a Patient Education Plan

Sarah is a bright, energetic 18-year-old superior school senior. She leads a very active life playing soccer and lacrosse for her high school and excels academically. Recently, Sarah has been losing weight and has been less energetic. For the past few months she has been experiencing abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea. Her lack of energy has begun to show by recently missed practices and declining grades. Sarahs parents were concerned close to their daughters wellness so they brought her to the doctors in which she was recently diagnosed with Crohns complaint.Sarah lives with both parents and two younger brothers in suburban Maryland. It is noned that Sarahs maternal grandmother had irritable bowel syndrome. Sarah is planning on going to college in the fall and lead need a large amount of genteelness on nutrition, medications, and symptoms of the infirmity so that she can manage the disease independently. Sarah states that she learns best by reading. Crohns disease is a ch ronic disorder that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, usually the colon, although it can be found anywhere in the digestive tract.There is no proven cause of Crohns disease but according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2006), the most popular theory is that the bodys immune remains reacts abnormally mistaking bacteria, foods and other substances for being foreign (Crohns Disease, para 5), the intestines become inflamed and swell and ulcers form leading to diarrhea and gastrointestinal bleeding. Other symptoms associated with Crohns disease include abdominal pain and cramping, bloody stools, ulcers, fever, reduced appetite and weight loss, arthritis, and skin problems.A diagnoses of Crohns disease to an active 18year old girl can be devastating. At 18, girls are usually concerned with their image and outward appearance. Sarah would also be concerned about her independence and quality of life. Fitting in with her peers and sm ack normal are a big concern. She whitethorn be concerned about having intimate relationships in the future or going out to decimate with friends. There is no known cure for Crohns disease so Sarah needs to focus on the things she can do to control the symptoms and educe the time mingled with flare ups. There is obviously a lot of emotional stress that can go along with Crohns disease. A young girl, trying to have a social life whitethorn find it difficult to go out in public for fear of having an attack of gas , pain or diarrhea, and not be near a bathroom. Knowing where the public bathrooms are before you go out can reduce anxiety. Special dietary needs may be restrictive when going out with friends. Figuring out the trigger foods and avoiding them is necessary. If surgery is needed, this can impact her self image.Talking with a doctor about possible surgical procedures may be back upful. Sarah will also have to be monitored for depression, which is common when living with a c hronic disease. Sarah will need education on how manage her disease independently. Besides medication, there are many other things Sarah can do to manage her disease and improve her quality of life. Sarah will need to be taught about her nutritional needs. She should limit dairy products. Often people with Crohns are lactose intolerant. Sarah should eat low fat foods.Fattier foods can pass up diarrhea. Drink plenty of liquids avoiding caffeine and alcohol. Eat small meals. Take a multivitamin. She should also pay attention to and avoid the foods that cause gastrointestinal upset. In access to her dietary needs, Sarah needs to manage stress. Avoiding stressful situations or using exercise or yoga to reduce stress may help prevent flare-ups. Other educational needs for Sarah include teaching about the possibility of surgery if or when the medications and diet modifications cannot control the symptoms any longer.As stated on the Crohns and Colitis footing of America website (2009), Two-thirds to three quarters of patients with Crohns disease will require surgery at some point in their lives (About Crohns Disease, para 24). Sarah will be provided with entropyrmational handouts and videos along with a list of website resources such as www. ucandcrohns. org and www. ccfa. org/kidsteens. Counseling will be provided for emotional support. Sarahs family will also be educated and taught how to provide support and acceptance.Sarah may believe her life will be very different but with education and support, she should be able to live a relatively normal life. Diagnoses with a chronic disease at any age is difficult. For Sarah, educational on how to best manage Crohns disease and prevent flare-ups will decrease stress and help her live a normal life. Follow-up doctor appointments for medication management and updated disease information is important so she has current treatment options. Ongoing emotional support and guidance are needed to maintain a healthy attitude and lifestyle.ReferencesAmerican Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. (2008). Crohns Disease. Retrieved June 12, 2010 from http//www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/crohns_disease/ Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America. (2009). Retrieved June 12, 2010 from http//www.ccfa.org/info/about/crohns Mayo Clinic. (2009). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 12, 2010 from http//www.mayoclinic.com/health/crohns-disease/DS00104 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2006). Retrieved June 12, 2010 from http//digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/ University of Maryland Medical Center. (2010). Crohns Disease. Retrieved June 13, 2010 from http//www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/crohns-disease-000043.htm