Receiving an IBD, Crohn’s or Colitis diagnosis can be a huge relief to some people—there are benefits to knowing what condition you have so that you can move forward with the proper treatment.
But receiving a diagnosis can also be scary at first. It’s not uncommon to have concerns about how Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis will impact your quality of life or even your life expectancy.
We want to try and alleviate some of your concerns, while being realistic about the impact that IBD can have on life expectancy and quality of life.
Does Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis get worse with age?
Both conditions can change as you age, but not necessarily for the worse. For some people, their condition may improve over time due to a treatment plan that works for them. For others, it may worsen or stay the same. To answer the main question, these conditions will not 100% worsen with age.
With self-management tools like our My IBD Care app, you and your specialist can refine your treatment plan to minimise flare-ups and extend periods of remission. This can help to improve your condition in the long run.
Is Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis curable?
These conditions are incurable inflammatory disorders. However, you can find ways to manage living with IBD through a proper care plan and support system.
Modern medications are much less likely to cause unwanted side effects and many treatment programs include a range of holistic practices that together can help to improve quality of life.
Can you live a long life with IBD, Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis?
Yes, you can! Taking medications and following a treatment plan can allow you to have the same life expectancy as someone without IBD.
What percentage of Crohn’s Disease patients get cancer?
Cancer is a common concern of those living with IBD. However, having IBD does not necessarily mean you will get cancer. Having Crohn’s or Colitis may be a risk factor for getting cancer, but this varies widely, depending on the exact type of IBD and your family history with cancer. If you are concerned, speak to your specialist about your specific risk profile who can consider the details of your case as well as how your history and that of your family influence your overall risk.
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We hope that this article helped to alleviate some of the worries that you may be experiencing around your diagnosis with IBD and your quality of life.
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