Welcome Fellow Sufferers, Family and Friends

We are an online community of friends and family, connected by the effects of IBD - either personally or with someone we care about. We offer support, understanding, friendship and guidance. Crohn's Sanity began life in 1998 with the founder Kim seeing a gap in information and support. Beginning life as an online support group for Crohn's Disease sufferers, it has expanded to include all forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The forum is operational and active while construction updates continue in some areas.

Crohn's Sanity maintains the free flow of information and support without cost to it's members. Membership will always be free. Membership in the forums is encouraged for more active participation. Membership provides access to a very active community and discussion forum. We do not require membership for viewing the Crohn's Sanity forums but non-members are limited in topics and support.

Though the forums are open for discussions and support, please be advised that in some member forum locations frank discussion about natural body functions, for both males and females, takes place which may offend some readers. If you are offended by such frank discussions please self restrict your forum viewing to the areas less likely to contain offensive material. Some forum areas may not be suitable for children and minors.

Please understand that while our we are not doctors or medical professionals. Anecdotes, advice, and tips should be discussed with your medical team.

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (not the same thing as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS) refers to chronic diseases within the digestive tract mainly causing inflammation along the digestive tract. Inflammatory Bowel Disease is thought to be an out of control immune system mostly attacking the intestines but can also affect other areas of the body (eyes, lungs, brain, blood vessels). Currently there is no known cause or cure.

When there is severe inflammation, the disease is considered to be in an active stage, and the person experiences a flare-up of the condition or "flare". When the degree of inflammation is less (or absent), the person usually is without symptoms, and the disease is considered to be in "remission". Without a cause or cure current treatment is aimed at inducing remission and maintaining / controlling the symptoms to preclude another flare.

The main forms of IBD are Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Other forms of IBD include:

• Behçet's disease
• Collagenous colitis
• Diversion colitis
• Indeterminate colitis
• Ischaemic colitis
• Lymphocytic colitis