Is my job killing me?

I think its just a coincidence. But I do know more and more folks seem to be being diagnosed lately. I have a co-worker who has Crohns, my managers best friend has it. So as you can see, I know quite a few close to me who have it also.

It's not surprising since Crohn's is increasing at an alarming rate, along with many other autoimmune disorders, primarily in industrialized nations(or being diagnosed). There are many theories as to why this is occurring e.g. evolved microbes that contribute to triggering the genetic predisposition, ingredients in the mass produced foods many people eat, the environment's natural response to increasing population density, etc.

Many people have already asked if perhaps it is because of the area in which they live, but the fact is that many people everywhere are being diagnosed.

And while there are those who say 'well, it's just being diagnosed in industrialized countries because that is the only place it is being tested,' but I have yet to hear of reports of mass symptoms of Crohn's or UC or diverticulitis(and so on) as opposed to wide reports of AIDS, Cholera, Dysentery, and so on. People are, in fact, being tested in many of these areas in the clinics that are set up by relief groups. I'm pretty sure you can't mistake Crohn's for AIDS. Just my opinion in any case. It's not like 'backwater' countries are completely void of medical testing.

I highly doubt it has to do with your job.  It seems like once one person stands up and says they have Crohns everyone else comes out of the shadows saying they have it too.  Its just not one of those disease people throw out in the open, some do...but a lot are embarassed.  I didnt have much choice in telling the 600 other people I work with that I have Crohns, but while I was hospitalized they started a donation for me since I had no insurance, and when I came back to work I had around 10 people come to me telling me that they also have it.

Ivy-  I live in Pittsburgh, I'll check into that.