House Concurrent Resolution 141, passed during the 2007 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly, requires the Kentucky Department of Education to "ensure that educators are aware of the impact that living with Crohn's disease and irritable bowel disease has on students with the condition."
The following information is offered pursuant to HCR 141:
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two main disease categories that belong to a larger group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic health conditions that may be controlled through treatment. However, both are long-term conditions which cannot be cured and are not fatal.
The onset of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is usually diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 20 years of age. Both conditions affect males and females equally.
Signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis include:
· Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
· Fatigue
· Crampy abdominal pain which may come without warning and create sudden urges to use the bathroom
Some children with IBD will have delays in physical growth and puberty, appearing younger and smaller than their peers. They may also experience joint pain and skin rashes.
Some children with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis may experience more chronic pain than others. Children with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis who experience chronic pain have been linked to school-related difficulties, such as frequent absences, decreased ability to concentrate and perform academically, and impaired ability to cope with the demands of the classroom setting.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has published a free booklet, A Guide for Teachers and Other School Personnel, that gives information on how schools can assist the student with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis in the school setting. To access and download this booklet, the web address is:
www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/teacherguide2005.pdf