Helping a Friend Cope with Hospitalizations Due to Crohn's or Colitis

If you are reading this, you may have a relatively good understanding of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. Understanding and living with Crohn's and colitis are two different issues. Crohn's and ulcerative colitis patients live day to day not knowing how the disease will affect them.

There are a number of reasons a Crohn's or colitis patient may end up in the hospital. A flare-up causes ulcerations anywhere from the mouth to the anus in Crohn's patients, and anywhere in the large colon in ulcerative colitis patients. The pain associated with these flare-ups is excruciating. Sometimes the pain can be managed at home, but when it becomes too intense, the patient must go to the hospital.

In the case of a partial blockage a Crohn's or ulcerative colitis patient may also end up in the hospital. The physician often wants to rest their guts. The patient's diet depends on the extent of the flare-up, usually determined by a lower G.I. and/or CT test.

A colon restricted due to extensive inflammation will usually result in a liquid diet, at most. A highly restricted colon may call for the patient to completely rest his or her bowels and receive nutrients from TPN (Total Parenternal Nutrition). This method of feeding an individual is intravenous feeding which skips the digestive process altogether. This allows the patients bowels time and rest to heal completely.

I have known patients to be on TPN for up to two weeks at the time.

Crohn's and colitis patients may develop fistulas, which are pockets in the small or large bowel that have the potential to rupture. These are usually dealt with immediately with surgery, as a bowel leakage into a patient's system can be dangerous, even fatal.

No less significant is hospitalization for C-dif, or Clostridium Dificile. Some amount of C-dif in everyone's colon is normal. However, due to weakened immune systems, often caused by Crohn's or colitis medications, often C-dif is onset after a Crohn's or colitis patient has been on an antibiotic that has killed off too many good bacteria in the body. C-Dif creates spores that proliferate and may initially cause nausea and cramping. It may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, overall feeling of illness, and dehydration.

IBD patients may also be hospitalized due to the need for a bowel resection, colectomy, or colostomy. Each of these is considered extensive surgery and may require long hospital stays.

What can you do to help or encourage a friend or family member who has to deal with multiple hospitalizations?

One of the first things any Crohn's or colitis patient needs is understanding. Crohn's and colitis patients cannot control their illness anymore than a cancer patient or diabetic. Sometimes, because the symptoms are not immediately visible people negate it when a Crohn's or colitis patient tells them how bad they really feel. Take them at their word. Offer understanding and support.

When the patient is hospitalized one of the simplest things you can do is visit. Because Crohn's and colitis patients often spend a lot of time in the hospital they tend to get overlooked by friends, family, and pastors who presume that they are used to hospitalization and will be just fine.

They probably will be fine, but that is no excuse not to visit. There is no need for lengthy visits. A few minutes of a smiling face, other than a nurse holding a needle or a doctor scribbling furiously in a chart can make a patient's day. Don't forget them just because they go to the hospital often. It does not mean they are comfortable there, nor does it mean they enjoy being there anymore than you would.

If the Crohn's or ulcerative colitis patient is in the hospital for a long term stay, take a poster or a few pictures to personalize the room. I've known Crohn's and colitis patients to spend three to six weeks in the hospital. That is a long time to look at a faded picture on the wall. Bring in pictures of family, post Bible verses, make gigantic cards. Add some personality to an otherwise drab hospital room. You may have to approve some things with the hospital staff, but in cases of long term hospitalization most doctors and nurses will not mind anything that perks up the patient.

Puzzles, magazines, and books help kill time, but when the patient feels up to it bring a puzzle to work on together. Try a board game. Fill an IPod with songs your friend enjoys and bring it to them. Music is supposed to aide in healing. Many hospitals now have wi-fi which can be accessed by patients and visitors. If your friend or relative does not have a laptop, hook them up with one while they are in the hospital. A computer can help a patient feel reconnected with the world.

Crohn's or ulcerative colitis patients who are involved in groups that meet on a regular basis would be encouraged, if, when they felt up to it, the group came and had a meeting in their room. When you are in the hospital for an extended period of time you get this feeling that you are losing touch with the outside world. Help make sure that doesn't happen. Let your Crohn's or ulcerative colitis patient know that yes, the world keeps on turning, but they are not forgotten.

The biggest help to the Crohn's or ulcerative colitis patient who has had to endure multiple hospitalizations is to encourage them the next time they have a flare to see their doctor and if necessary go to the hospital. Patients who are in the hospital frequently do not want to go back. This may make them shy away from telling their doctor how they really feel.

Encourage them to be honest about how they are feeling. Assure them when they are hospitalized you will visit and spend time with them. Sometimes they just need someone to sit with them, so they don't feel isolated and alone.