Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in Children

Children who suffer with these problems need lots of emotional support. These are “lonely” diseases, dealing with a sensitive part of a childs anatomy.

Crohns disease is an autoimmune disorder. It can be devastating to anyone, but especially children. This is not an easily diagnosed disease. Ulcerative Colitis is similar, but different in its symptoms. No one knows the cause of these disorders, though there is a theory that a virus may act as a trigger to the latent problem. Other studies cite certain medications or environmental factors. Psychologically, this is very, very difficult for children to deal with.

I developed Crohns Disease around the age of 7. It remained undiagnosed for many years. The onset involved sudden, severe bouts of intense abdominal pain, fever and diarrhea, so serious, I lost 40% of my body weight, ending up weighing 30 pounds. I stopped growing in height and couldn’t regain the lost weight. My joints would swell and redden, leading them to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis.

Fever remained, in spite of antibiotics, and truly world class medical care, at 100 degrees, for years. I was wheelchair bound for the entire 7th year of my life, due to pain and weakness. The symptoms continued off and on, until my 27th year, when I almost died from intestinal obstruction, and the diagnosis was made surgically. It’s taken 5 major surgeries and 2 prolonged bouts of chemotherapy to put me in semi-remission.

These are all classic worse case scenario Crohns symptoms. Any child who is experiencing the following cluster of symptoms needs to be followed closely by their pediatrician:

1. Abdominal pain and cramping
2. Recurring bouts of diarrhea, not related to flu or other viral illness
3. Unexplained low grade fever
4. Anemia
5. Joint pain with reddening
6. Iritis an eye inflammation, which left untreated can lead to blindness
7. Weight loss
8. Swelling of the abdomen, accompanied by pain
9. Sudden severe constipation, accompanied by the inability to pass gas
10. Fissures or openings on the skin, which have no other physical cause

Ulcerative colitis is similar in some ways to Crohns, but profoundly different in others. It is not an autoimmune disorder. The intestinal lesions, present in both are very different. In Crohns, the lesions skip , they don’t form a continuous line throughout, but skip, leaving healthy tissue in between.

The ulcerations penetrate all the way through the intestinal wall, whereas in ulcerative colitis, they remain on the outer layers of the intestinal wall, and rarely perforate. The fever is different too. In ulcerative colitis, a wildly swinging temperature is often seen. Diarrhea alternates with bouts of constipation, causing tremendous pain. There is no joint or systemic involvement, as with Crohns disease. In many ways, this is an easier disease to diagnose, because the symptoms can present so dramatically, especially in children.

Children who suffer with these problems need lots of emotional support. These are “lonely” diseases, dealing with a sensitive part of a childs anatomy. They are often embarrassed by the diarrhea, cramping, and sometimes incontinence. Medications like Prednisone can cause “moon” face, brittle bones and lowered resistance to infection.

Surgery for obstruction can be intensely painful and scarring. If you have a child with one of these diseases, reassure them that with good medical care and planning, they can often lead normal, productive lives. You can point out, that some early onset cases of Crohns, appear to burn themselves out, by a childs 18th birthday. Not often, but this can give the child some hope of future relief. Join a Crohns support group to get some help with your own feelings, and to keep up with the latest advances in treatment.

Finally, let your child become an active partner in treatment from a gastroenterologist. Encourage him to be frank about feelings and opinions on treatment options, and most of all, to ask as many questions as he needs to feel comfortable. After all, this is his life, his problem. Let his friends help if they want. Explain Crohns isn’t “catching”, and that he needs their friendship and support. All of this will help your child learn to live with his disease in a more balanced, comfortable way.

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GERD Gastroesophageal Reflux

It may first appear as a frequent tickle in the back of the throat, coughing that may last for weeks in the absence of known illness, hoarseness, even bad breath, or sour taste. Sometimes there may be mild or moderate back pain or chest pain that seems akin to a heart attack. The most common symptom is frequent heartburn. Millions of Americans, young and old, suffer daily with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. Untreated, GERD can be life threatening.

Gastric reflux occurs when stomach contents escape into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The lining of the stomach protects it from digestive acids.

The lining of the esophagus does not provide the same protection. Stomach acid that enters the esophagus burns the lining and causes reversible changes called esophagitis. Continued acid assault of the esophageal lining may cause ulcers or even esophageal cancer.

The primary care physician often makes the diagnosis of GERD. A thorough medical history may reveal some of the symptoms in the above list. The physician will recommend treating the disease with dietary and lifestyle changes first. The dietary recommendations will include instructions to avoid foods that increase reflux such as fatty or fried foods, peppermint and spearmint, whole milk, oils, chocolate, creamed foods or soups, and most fast foods.

GERD sufferers should avoid foods that irritate the lower esophagus including coffee and black and green tea (regular or decaffeinated), citrus fruits and beverages including tomatoes and tomato products, carbonated beverages, spicy foods and alcohol. These restrictions only seem difficult until they bring relief. Then, they become a natural part of living pain free.

Recommended lifestyle changes include losing weight, not lying down right after a meal, cutting out late night snacks, avoiding tight fitting clothing, eating smaller meals and snacks, and elevating the head of the bed or sleeping on extra pillows. It is very important to quit smoking. Nicotine weakens the muscles of the lower esophagus causing or worsening reflux. Many GERD suffers find that dietary and lifestyle changes alone are enough to control their GERD.

When remedies that are more natural are not enough, many medications control or eliminate GERD. Liberal use of over the counter antacids decreases stomach acidity in the short term. Antacids such as Tums, Maalox, and Gaviscon, help people with occasional gastric reflux. Other medications such as Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid actually decrease acid production. If one of these medications does not work, another may. Together, antacid and acid reducing medications control more severe cases. Many GERD suffers find that they must continue taking these acid decreasing medications for the rest of their lives.

Please, do not treat frequent gastric reflux with over the counter remedies without consulting your physician. Just as gastric reflux pain may mimic pain caused by other conditions, another condition such as coronary artery disease, may feel like GERD.

Endoscopy is a visual examination of the esophagus. This exam is performed routinely for patients who have been diagnosed with GERD. Using an endoscope (a fiber optic camera) a physician may readily diagnose conditions such as esophagitis, ulcers, a pyloric valve that does not fully close (the valve that separates the stomach and the esophagus), and hiatal hernia (weakening of the diaphragm where the esophagus passes through). Patients are under general anesthesia during the procedure; it is quick, easy, and painless.

I write a column on dentistry, so there must be a dental connection to GERD. Here it is. In many cases of GERD, the acidic stomach contents regularly enter the mouth. Teeth are often affected. Dentists easily spot the dental effects of GERD – enamel erosion and a higher decay rate. Sometimes, dentists are the first to suspect that a patient has gastric reflux disease.

Erosion, the generalized loss of tooth enamel, may be caused by GERD, bulimia (the disorder of eating large amounts of food and then causing one’s self to vomit), even sucking lemons or limes. The pattern of erosion in cases of GERD and bulimia is similar, so the dentist must interview the patient carefully to differentiate the two.

Children with a high rate of tooth decay may be suffering with GERD. The dentist will need to know the facts of the child’s diet to differentiate between decay that is caused by diet and decay that may be due to reflux. If there is a question of the presence of gastric reflux, always consult thechild’s physician.

Dentists must treat patients afflicted by GERD in conjunction with treatment of GERD itself. The same acid that affects teeth will have a similar effect on the materials that dentists use to restore erosion and tooth decay. Patients with GERD often have a high rate of decay around fillings and caps or crowns.

Speak with the best medical doctor if you feel that you suffer with gastroesophageal reflux disease. If you believe that your teeth are extraordinarily sensitive, thin or very prone to decay, ask your dentist for their opinion.

 

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Hepatitis B: Risks, Treatment and Prevention

After an Assisted Living Center in Mount Olive, N.C., was fined $16,000 for causing the outbreak of Hepatitis B in which six of their patients died, the Obama administration has begun an intensive information drive to discuss the risks of Hepatitis B as well as prevention and treatment of the illness. His focus is on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, because of the prevalence of the disease in those communities.

Here are the facts about Hepatitis B.

* Hepatitis B is an irritation and swelling of the liver due to an infection with the Hepatitis B virus. It is a contagious virus that can cause severe liver problems.

* The liver removes harmful chemicals from the blood, fights infection, digests food and stores energy, as well as vitamins and nutrients. Without the liver, you cannot exist.

* Hepatitis B can lead to liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis. Cirrhosis causes permanent scarring of the liver.

* There is no cure for Hepatitis B, though there is a vaccine to prevent the disease.

* Possible ways of spreading Hepatitis B include direct contact with blood in a hospital setting (such as what happened in the case in Mount Olive when medical technicians reused diabetes pens), sexual contact with a person that has the infection, tattoos or acupuncture that involve unclean needles, sharing needles during drug use, and sharing personal items that come in contact with bodily fluids of an infected person.

* Symptoms of the disease typically occur two to three months after becoming infected.

* Some of the signs and symptoms of the infection include abdominal pain, dark urine, appetite loss, nausea and vomiting, joint pain, weakness and fatigue, yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes that give an appearance of jaundice.

* Some infants as well as adults never experience the symptoms even if they are infected with the disease. If you think you have come in contact with the bodily fluids of someone who has the infection, it is important to contact your doctor immediately.

* Healthy people still may need to be screened for Hepatitis B if they fall under the following circumstances: people who are HIV-positive, immigrants from areas of the world where the disease is prevalent; such as, Asia, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe and Africa as well as children of parents from these areas.

* You should also be screened if you suspect a person you have had sex with has the infection, if you are an injection drug user or a prison inmate, a man who has had sex with a man, if you receive kidney dialysis or if you are a pregnant woman.

* Screening for Hepatitis B in Belle Glade is done via a blood test If it is determined that you have the infection, liver tests will be performed to gauge the damage that has been done to the organ.

* If you are diagnosed with the illness, you may receive antiviral medications to help prevent further damage to your liver. If your liver is already severely damaged, a liver transplant may be the only option.

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Bad but Not Serious

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS, or spastic colon as my doctor referred to it, is a troublesome but not serious condition. It won’t turn into cancer, cause it or get worse. That’s good news. The bad news? Irritable Bowel Syndrome does make it’s presence know if you don’t take care of yourself. When? Usually during very stressful times in your life or after you’ve eaten certain foods that you will find out you really shouldn’t. if you’re a woman, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is worse right before or during your menstrual cycle. And more women are affected by IBS than men.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is caused by your intestines squeezing too hard or not hard enough to expel the foods you might have consumed. In other words, the food may be going through your system more quickly or too slowly than what it should. That’s when the symptoms start to rear their ugly head. The cramping, the intermittent diarrhea for a few days then constipation the next. The bloating and gassy feelings like you’ve eaten five bowls of beans in one sitting.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome generally start out with abdominal cramping or more cramping during your menstrual cycle if you’re a woman. You may experience more gas and bloating after eating certain types of foods. The biggest and most telling symptoms of all and one that will be quite noticeable is the change in your bowel habits and the mucous that is more often than not mixed in with your stool.

If you notice this happening you should make an appointment with your doctor to be sure that this is Irritable Bowel Syndrome and not something else that is more serious. The doctor will ask you how long the symptoms have been going on and possibly if there were a pattern to these episodes. Were you under more stress than usual while these symptoms were occurring? Had you eaten certain foods that had caused these problems before? If so, then you more than likely have IBS.

If the symptoms have just started happening your doctor might want to run some blood tests, do a colonoscopy or a rectal exam to check for the presence of blood. If these tests come back negative, ruling out the more serious conditions the doctor will work with you on ways to keep these flare-ups from happening.

The doctor will try to work with you on how to figure out which foods are causing the episodes. They might suggest that you keep a diary of the foods you eat. When you start feeling badly, you can look back and see what you have eaten to try to narrow down the cause of the pain. If you are lactose intolerant, it could be milk, cheese or some other form of dairy product. Fats and caffeine are also catalysts for Irritable Bowel Syndrome so try to stay away from chocolate, lots of fried foods and coffee or soda. However, don’t stop eating a certain food the first time you eat it and it causes a flare-up. If this certain food has upset your stomach more than once, then it’s a good idea to shy away from whatever you are eating.

Most doctors from the best clinics in your area also prefer that a person with Irritable Bowel Syndrome add more fiber to their diet. Why? Because soluble fibers helps stop both the diarrhea and constipation. Insoluble fiber which is in foods such as wheat bread or many vegetables helps with constipation. Also, try drinking lots of water. Eat six small meals a day instead of three larger ones.

Your doctor will also try to help you with your stress levels. Most of the time, relaxation techniques like meditation or exercise will help. If your stress is more severe, a doctor might suggest trying relaxants of some kind or anti-depression medicine if you are going through a very rough time and are feeling emotionally drained and depressed.

There is no cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but you can take over the counter medications such as Imodium AD for the diarrhea. Stay away from laxatives of any kind when constipated as they may weaken your intestines and make you dependent on them. If you are having lots of problems with constipation or diarrhea, your doctor will more than likely prescribe an antispasmodic medication that should help.

One of the worst things about having Irritable Bowel Syndrome besides the cramping and bloating is having your symptoms flare up at the worst possible times. During stressful situations such as when you have a loved one in the hospital or there is a death in the family. Irritable bowel syndrome can even make an appearance during typical daily happenings such as being stuck in traffic or traveling and having no bathroom in sight. But if you stay on a healthy diet, try to remain calm and stay away from any foods that might cause symptoms, you should have very few episodes and be able to live and function normally despite having Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

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A Possible Remedy for Hepatitis C

Presently, the treatment for hepatitis C, which is a liver disease, is a combination of an antiviral agent and another drug. Unfortunately, this type of treatment has a negative result. The side effect is very unpleasant for many people who are on this type of care. Because of this situation, patients are known to discontinue with their treatments.

The other negative fact regarding this drug is that even though patients who don’t get these disturbing side effects, there seems to be no indication that there is any improvement in the function of the liver for these people.

There is good news on the horizon, however. As reported in the U.S. News and World Report, Robert Lanford and his colleagues who are virologists from San Antonio, Texas, experimented with some chimpanzees who had been infected with hepatitis C. They injected these animals intravenously with what is known as SPC3649. The results were amazingly promising because it showed from the test that hepatitis C had been suppressed.

This was good news for me when I first heard about the results of this test because I knew of someone who had hepatitis C. This girl was a student of mine who had contacted this disease. I first realized that something was wrong with her one day, when I noticed that her face and the whites of her eyes were yellow. I didn’t know the cause of this unusual coloring, but I told her mother that she should take her daughter to the doctor. Later, I found out from this mother that her daughter had hepatitis C. Many teenagers get this disease through sexual intercourse which was believed to be the reason for this girl’s problem.

I later found out that this type of hepatitis could lead to cirrhosis of the liver which eventually could lead to the dreaded disease–cancer. I felt very concerned for this young girl and her parents. For their sake and for others who have this disease, I hope that this new experimental drug can soon be on the market.

The good news about this new drug, SPC3649, is that when it was first tested, it showed no toxic side effects. The other good news regarding the testing of this drug is that it showed no evidence that Hepatitis C was being resistant to it. This is extremely good news because in the past, scientists and best doctors have had problems with other drugs because these drugs allowed Hepatitis C to progress into further disaster. The other encouraging news about SPC3649 is that when treatment had stopped, it continued to be effective.

It is estimated that approximately 170 million people in the world have hepatitis C. It is also estimated that four million Americans are living with hepatitis C infection.

The results of this research is so promising that microbiologists are excited about what this new drug will lead to in the future.

 

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The Most Important Part of Crohn’s Disease and Relationships – Honesty

It was not only heartbreaking to my youngest son, who at the age of 17, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, but also for my whole family, as well. It was hard to watch me son, a high school student, who was very active in cross-country, stricken with a debilitating disease that would prevent him from competing in meets and events the rest of his high school years.

Another issue that concerned my son was his girlfriend. Would she still want to be his girlfriend knowing he had Crohn’s disease? Would any girl want anything to do with him? These were all real fears for my son and he had every right to have them, as people who are diagnosed with a specific disease are sometimes shunned by society.

When my son was first diagnosed, I tried to find a support group that he could join, with the thought that he might be able to relate to people affected with Crohn’s and to get some much-needed answers. I contacted the hospital where he was receiving treatments, but unfortunately, the only support groups for Crohn’s were for adults. I did take him to one and I think it helped, as he was made aware that he was not alone in the world; there were others like him, even if they were older.

My son kept his girlfriend up-to-date on his condition each time he went to the doctor, received a treatment, or found out any new information. I then contacted the CCFA (Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America) to see if they knew of any young adult support groups, and they informed me of a seminar being held for children near us. Although the seminar was for 16 year olds and younger, they allowed my son to register, after I explained how he needed some support from his peers. He also invited his girlfriend along, which proved to be an excellent decision.

I believe this to be one of the best seminars I have ever attended. There were children there of all ages, from different backgrounds, and there was even a set of twins, one diagnosed with Crohn’s, the other without. The children broke off in groups, attending different presentations, while the parents waited in an auditorium.

Later in the day, when I met up with my son and his girlfriend, they were both somewhat in awe of the information they had learned. It turned out that they were the ones in demand, as the other teenagers had question after question for them about their relationship and how they handled things, like dating. My son told them to be honest, and upfront about their condition. If your relationship becomes serious, keep your partner up-to-date on your treatments and medications with the best doctor, let them know what is going on with you, not just physically, but emotional as well.

Although he never found a support group to join, my son did very well adjusting to this disease, even though about a year after the CCFA seminar, my son’s condition worsened and he had to have a colostomy, which luckily was reversed 13 months later. All through his ordeal, he kept his girlfriend informed of his condition and she was right there by his side through everything, and instead of the relationship ending, it steadily grew through understanding, patience, and love. Today, they are both successful, have been married for five years, and are expecting their first child in September.

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Coping with Crohn’s Disease

Many people have probably not heard of Crohn’s disease. It is a chronic illness characterized by multiple symptoms which may include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, mild to severe abdominal pain, and sometimes intestinal bleeding. All of these symptoms can be part of inflammation in the intestines. There are possible complications but not everyone experiences them. It is not curable and can begin at any age, but most often is seen in teenagers and young adults. Inflammation can develop anywhere in the gastric system but generally affects the small intestine and the colon.

At the age of 9 my grand daughter, an active, vivacious child began to lose her appetite. We, her family, attributed her subsequent weight loss to the fact that she had changed schools. This may sound implausible but in the private grade school she attended she had a minimal structured physical education program and, with no real playground, her school day did not include strenuous play.

When she started attending her new school in fourth grade her physical activity level increased both in and out of school. She played outside with her friends in the neighborhood and at school she had a PE program that kept her active and in good physical condition. But then she started losing her appetite. She would be very hungry, start to eat, and suddenly lose interest. Sometimes she wouldn’t even be able to look at food without being nauseated. At her regular checkup that year her pediatrician expressed concern when she weighed in 20 pounds lighter than the year before. A gastric follow-through was scheduled which revealed the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease.

When Crohn’s is first diagnosed it is fair to say it is a shock to the patient and their family. Many who have it, when they learn the outcome of the tests, are completely overwhelmed. What could have caused it? How serious is it? Is normal life possible after this? Is it curable? What medications are available and what are the side effects? There are so many questions and, depending on whom you talk to, a lot of confusing answers.

I had heard of Crohn’s disease before my grand daughter got her diagnosis because one of my dear friends had it. Her disease course was horrible with ulcers from her mouth into her esophagus and throughout her entire gastric system. She started having major digestive problems in her twenties and didn’t understand the seriousness of her illness until her doctor told her she would likely die within a year if she did not have surgery. She underwent an ileostomy and learned to cope very well with the colostomy bag she has worn for many years. Aside from what I knew of her problems, my knowledge of the disease was limited and definitely skewed toward the negatives. I imagined the worst for my precious grand daughter.

I have always wanted to know as much as possible about any disease that affects me or my family so my first reaction involved looking on the internet. Big mistake! It only made matters worse. I got on a couple of informational forums with people who have Crohn’s and read about many of the worst case scenarios. It didn’t take long before I realized I needed some more objective information.

I found a website operated by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, www.ccfa.org. Their approach is to educate patients about every aspect of the disease but to also offer hope. The information they provide is very straightforward. All the treatment alternatives are discussed, including support aimed at teaching about Crohn’s disease, helping a patient accept the diagnosis, guidance about being proactive in working with medical doctors, and encouragement as to prognosis. The website also discusses different types of Crohn’s disease, symptoms and causes, diagnostic tests, environmental factors, nutritional considerations, coping strategies, complications, and medications as well as surgical treatment options.

By the time I had read through this site I had a pretty thorough understanding of what my grand daughter could be facing. She went through several years of being afraid of what people would think if they knew she had Crohn’s disease and she hid the truth for some time, even from her friends. In time she trusted that people would not go away just because she had a chronic illness. She has had some periods of remission and a few flare-ups. She has managed, for the most part, to live a normal life with some bouts of pain and disruption. She has never been hospitalized and has not required surgical intervention.

Crohn’s disease, though undeniably serious, is not considered to be fatal. It is, however, a disease that must be coped with because unfortunately, though research is ongoing, there is no cure at this time. There are no guarantees that medication will work immediately and there may be periods of trial and error. The good news is that the likelihood of remission, for short periods or even for years, is possible. Everyone is different and there is no way to predict the disease course. That is one of the frustrations. As with all illnesses, the more educated you are, and the more compliant with treatment by the best gastroenterologist, the better your chances of leading a normal life.

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Ulcerative Colitis: Finding Your Cure

My name is Brian. I am 22 years old and I suffer from ulcerative colitis disease. If you are reading this article you or a loved one are probably suffering with this debilitating disease and are looking for a cure or the best treatment. I am going to share with you my story and the struggle I went through to finding my cure. It is my hope that my story can lead you to the answers you are looking for.

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when I was only 17 years old. Like a typical teenager I did not mention to my parents that I was having severe stomach pain, blood in my stool, and severe urgency to void my bowels. I figured early on it was a virus and that it would pass. I let this condition go on for weeks. I finally had to tell my parents when I noticed there was a great deal of blood in my stool. I was ashamed and afraid.

(Note to parents) Kids and teenagers may feel embarrassed about mentioning these symptoms. If your child mentions these issues it is important to take their concerns seriously. Take them to a gastroenterologist and explain to them they have nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about.

My parents took me to a gastroenterologist who told me I should have a colonoscopy just as a precaution. I woke up after my procedure with my parents by my side. The doctor told me I had something called ulcerative colitis. I had never heard that term before. He told me it wasn’t that big of a deal, I would need to take these pills for the rest of my life, but I would be fine.

(Note) This doctor was WRONG. Ulcerative colitis can be a serious disease. People have different degrees of severity and there is no cure.

Anyways I took the pills and my ulcerative colitis continued to worsen. I was in such bad shape that I was out of school for 2 weeks, I was running to the bathroom sometimes in excess of twenty times a day, and I was in constant pain. I had no energy to do anything and honesty I hoped for death at times.

Prednisone is the only thing that put my condition back into remission. The problem is this drug suppresses the immune system. It also causes facial puffiness, increased appetite, and can accelerate bone loss if taken for too long. This drug was heaven and hell for me, but it was my only choice. I suffered though most of the side effects (except bone loss, Thank God) but I was having normal bowel movements and no more urgency or pain.

I would then need to be tapered off the prednisone and I would usually be okay for a few weeks or a couple months and then the problems would arise again. Let me tell you with the help of my supportive family I tried everything under the sun to cure my colitis. (For those who don’t know there is no “cure” except surgery) I went to ayurvedic doctors, specialists, and naturopaths. I tried fish oil, turmeric, calcium, curcumin, suppositories (all kinds), and every medication out there with no relief.

It is important to note now that there will be times when you take a certain pill, drug, herb, etc and feel better. You may think you have found the cure. I pray that you have, but in most cases it is a short fix and within a few weeks to a month the symptoms return in what is called a flare.

The interesting thing about this disease is no one treatment works for everyone. After 5 years of living with these disease I found out that many people have beaten this disease, but all have different ideas of what works. Some people cut out gluten. Others follow very strict diets. Some swear by fish oil and other herbs. It is important to never give up and try every possibility out there.

I finally found my “cure” just this year. I take a prescription drug called Asacol HD. I take three pills in the morning and three at night. I also take Metamucil at night. I try to avoid ice cream, really fatty foods and thick cheese. This is what works for me.

The most important thing you can take away from this article is to never give up. This disease can run you down and make you lose hope. The key is to have a strong support system from friends, family and/or a support group and persevere until you find your cure. My hope is that when someone finds their cure they share their story. 

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Living with My Mothers Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammation of the bowls disease, typically affecting the intestinal track. While they have come a long ways in understanding and treating Crohn’s disease now, my mother was not so lucky when she discovered she had this illness in 1969. In the 1960’s very little was known about it and they certainly did not know how to treat it, my mother was a guinea pig.

This is my story of growing up with a loved one diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, and those who lived with her and loved her so deeply. I was born in 1968 and since she was diagnosed in 1969, I really have no memory of a healthy mother. While I do remember a few good days or spells, my memories are clouded with the pain she endured. I have many memories of my mother crying on the couch, on the worse days she would close herself in her bedroom, but we all knew she was in there crying, unable to bear the pain.

My petite mother of only 4 foot 9 inches tall and weighing on average of 70 pounds spent some time going in and out of hospitals. She was literally starving to death as her Crohn’s disease inflamed her intestinal track and her body could not absorb the nutrients we typically receive from the foods we eat. Her body would immediately pass the food through her system in diarrhea. Her abdominal cramps and pain would get severe, curling herself up into a ball. Each time she went into the hospital the cut out more of her small intestinal track, hoping they got it all, but never did. Always she would be back in the hospital at some point.

She was already a survivor of polio, her stories of how my grandmother stood in line with her for hours as a long line of people waited in panic to find out if they had polio, still rings in my ears. She was in a full length body cast for a whole year during her time with polio as a young girl just hitting puberty. The stories were vivid and with detail of her time with polio, one child of 10 that my grandmother had had. We knew she was a fighter, but still, her tiny size alone, made her look so fragile, and many times we wondered how long she would be with us.

I really do not remember how many surgeries she had to endure; to me it seemed way too many to count. There were also some mistakes made in surgery along the way since they did not know what they were doing. Sometimes it was a simple overlooking of her little size where they would give her too much anesthesia, sometimes it was the actual surgery itself, and one in particular that was a big mistake. Each time she went in, we wondered if she would make it.

Sometimes my Dad, would go to see her by himself after he got out of work, I remember he came home crying sometimes, on a couple occasions he did bear the news that the doctors did not think she would survive this time around. This news would keep me up crying well into the night. Going to visit her in the hospital was just as scary and heart wrenching. She was so pale, tubes going down her throat, in her arms, everywhere they could stick tubes it seemed. Some where feeding tubes trying to keep her from starving to death, some carried pain meds to her system such as morphine, making her a little more than out of it. So many tubes hooked up to her, she looked so tiny and small in that hospital bed where the tubes seemed to engulf her. My Dad always tried to prepare us before hand but nobody could prepare for the reality of what she actually looked like in that hospital bed. It was shocking to say the least.

When she was home, it was strict bland diets and sometimes she had to even live off of baby food from jars and milk soaked bread. So many foods seemed to aggravate her intestines, when she did eat normal foods; we learned to cook without spices to keep it bland for her. Always she took an array of medications, as teenagers we prepared these medications for her to make sure she took them on time as over the years, certain medications she had been given seemed to dull and confuse her mind.

On her good days she always tried to do something special with me such as fishing or taking me down to our woods to sit and talk about nature or playing a game with me. I will never forget these days and hold on to them with the fondest of memories as they did not happen often. I really do not know how she endured so many years of agony and pain, it was a least 12 years in and out of pain and inflammations of her intestines. Too many years for one person to bear is all I know.

My mother was a trooper though, one of the strongest woman I know which admittedly she gets from her own mother who got it from her mother! Every time the doctors did not think she would make it she proved them wrong and came home to us. We all questioned if she would live long enough to see us graduate high school, we had serious doubts yet we prayed she would. We hoped she may even make it long enough to see a grandchild yet knew she would never live long enough to see great grandchildren.

When I was 12 however her Crohn’s finally seemed to quit spreading after they had cut in the end, all but a foot of her small intestines out. For many years it was considered mostly in remission. She has defied everything we thought we knew. She not only lived to see her children all graduate high school. She has lived far beyond what anyone thought and has seen her 9 grandchildren, some who have graduated high school themselves. She has also lived long enough to see 2 great grandchildren!

While her Crohn’s disease has seemed to become active again she is the epitome of the bravest strongest woman I know. A brave woman of courage who just turned 69 years old and will see the age of 70 come next year. Nobody including herself thought she would make it this far, yet all of us are sure glad she has! She is a survivor, a fighter that while she may come in a very small package, and she is larger than life with the courage she has shown. Our wish now is that when it is her time to leave us, that she can do it without pain and in peace, she deserves that much as most war heroes would never be able to endure the pain this tiny woman of 70 pounds had to endure throughout my childhood.

We are so blessed to have her with us still, therefore I believe in miracles.

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Crohn’s Disease and Thanksgiving Dinner

Crohn’s disease can be painful as the main cause of abdominal pain associated with the disease is an inflamed small intestine. Symptoms include pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and feeling full. Just because your body won’t digest some of its food properly shouldn’t stop you from enjoying Thanksgiving dinner. Here are some tips to eating better at Thanksgiving.

The first thing to do is be prepared ahead of time. Know what to do and how much to eat and know how you’re feeling before you eat. If you know what to expect, then you can act accordingly.

Chew your food really well. You don’t want your digestive system to work any harder than it already does when you eat.

If you are taking anti-inflammatory drugs, make sure you have been taking your medication properly and on time. Did you remember to pack your medicine when you left for Thanksgiving vacation?

Drink some yogurt beforehand that has acidophilus in it. Yogurt’s probiotics will aid in your small intestines when they try to digest things.

Make sure your intestines haven’t had anything in them for a while. In other words, make sure they have rested before you eat a nice-sized meal like Thanksgiving.

Do not drink any diuretics such as coffee, tea, or dark colored sodas. They will only exacerbate the symptoms of Crohn’s disease and make the diarrhea worse.

Don’t overstuff yourself. Eat a little bit, and then take a break. Eat a little more, and then take a break. Eat until you are just starting to get full instead of stopping when you can’t take another bite whatsoever.

Eat foods high in fiber like rolls, celery, and other grains and vegetables. Squash and zucchini are also good sources of fiber. Fiber helps to clean out your intestines and may help prevent diarrhea associated with Crohn’s disease.

Try having a fiber supplement beforehand from the best clinic to clean out your intestines before you eat. It may reduce symptoms of diarrhea and help you to eat better while you are sitting there amongst friends and family.

Have fun. Even though you may get some pain, eat and enjoy the wonderful food spread before you. All you have to do is be aware of what you are eating and you should be fine.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Seek the help of a licensed physician if you are diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and need advice on what to eat for Thanksgiving.

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Heartburn: Are You Suffering from Acidity?

Acidity (or heartburn) is caused by acid in the stomach that refluxes back and irritates the oesophagus, and can flare up even further if left untreated.

You know you have acidity when…

If you have a burning feeling in the chest. If the food that you eat is regurgitated back in the mouth    If you have have bloating, sensation of gases in the abdomen    If you have have pain in the chest or abdomen which improves or worsens with meals

Acidity may cause chronic cough and even chronic hoarseness. Acidity or GERD (medical term for Acidity) is generally described by burning in the chest or stomach. A person should go to see the best doctor if acidity is worsening or occurs more than twice a week.

Food and Acidity: Overeating can cause pressure on the stomach, so can obesity, pregnancy, and smoking. Reflux symptoms are also worsened by common foods such as:

citrus fruits like leech, lime, grapefruit, mandarin, tangerine, kumquat, minneola, tangelo, lemon, orange and pummelo etc.    chocolate    drinks with caffeine or alcohol    garlic and onions    fatty and fried foods    mint flavorings    tomato based foods like spaghetti, salsa and chilli sauces, as well as pizza    spicy foods

There are various natural home remedies and herbal remedies are available to cure the acidity. And if we modify our food habits followed by natural treatment, one can get totally cured of acidity which we all wish for!

 

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How to Use Herbs Such as White Willow and Slippery Elm Used to Manage the Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease

For years doctors and pharmaceutical companies have been prescribing and developing new drugs that are supposed to manage symptoms related to Crohn’s disease. The same results, however, can be obtained by utilizing safer and gentler natural cures in place of the drugs generally prescribed by most doctors. There are various herbs which have proven to be quite effective in managing the symptoms related to Crohn’s disease, in some cases ridding patients of the symptoms permanently.

Internal bleeding, a common problem with Crohn’s disease, could become extremely dangerous when not treated. Cayenne is one of the herbs quite useful in managing symptoms of the disease. The common cayenne pepper used to flavor dishes at the food table is sufficient in combating such bleeding. Cayenne, also called capsicum, can be obtained in the form of capsules at any herb or health store.

Another problem that we need to look at when trying to manage symptoms of Crohn’s disease is the inflammation of the inner surface of the intestine, bowels, and the digestive tract as a whole. Various herbs are available on this end, white willow being one of them that effectively reduces inflammation and pain.

Slippery elm is used to manage symptoms like diarrhea and inflammation. It coats the surface lining of stomach and bowels, and soothes inflamed regions. It is one of the herbs that successfully curbs diarrhea and acute discomforts associated with Crohn’s disease and normalizes stools, leading to a faster recovery of the patient.

One of the very hard-to-manage symptoms of Crohn’s disease, blockage of the intestines, which constricts the passage because of inflammation of tissue, can be treated by Slippery Elm as well. Herbal laxatives like Senna and Cascara Sagrada help, too.

Fistulas which have spread to adjacent organs like bladder, kidneys or vagina cause infections. It’s extremely important to manage symptoms such as these and curb it soon. Garlic offers an excellent solution as a mild but effective herb. A strong antibiotic as well as anti fungus herb, it can manage symptoms caused by bacteria in cases of Crohn’s disease.

Many naturopathic doctors, gastroenterologist and other purveyors of alternative medicine believe that herbs are a safer and more sensible alternative for managing symptoms of Crohn’s disease effectively. They come with minimum side effects and are high in minerals, vitamins and nutrients as well; all of which are very much needed by a body trying to cope with Crohn’s disease. Please remember though, consulting a licensed medical doctor is the first step of any treatment regimen. The use of herbs and any other form of alternative medicine may not be right for everyone.

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Are Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Patients Lactose Intolerant?

There are many aspects of diet that Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis patients must control. One common question among those with Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis is whether they are lactose intolerant. Do they need to avoid dairy products like milk, ice cream, cheese, and other sources of lactose?

Lactose intolerance is common in people with Crohn’s and colitis. Crohn’s patients may be slightly more sensitive because digestive enzymes for lactose (lactase) are housed in the small intestine. The small intestine is the first area of the digestive tract affected by Crohn’s disease and therefore, it is not uncommon for lactase, the digestive enzyme for lactose, to become deficient, leading to lactose intolerance.

It is difficult to identify lactose intolerance, because many of the symptoms are similar to other symptoms of Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Sensitivity to lactose may cause or worsen diarrhea, bloating, gas, and cramps.

Lactose intolerance is manifested by the body’s inability to metabolize simple sugars in lactose (glucose and galactose) in the small intestine. These sugars continue through the digestive tract to the large intestine. There, they are metabolized by bacteria which release hydrogen, causing gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

There are two ways to identify lactose intolerance if you have e Crohn’s or colitis. When Crohn’s or colitis is not flared spend a week avoiding dairy and other lactose containing foods. Make note if symptoms lessen or go away.

After a week, try a dairy product and see if you have a reaction to the dairy product.

If, because of your Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, you still cannot determine if you have lactose intolerance your doctor can perform a lactose breath test. This is a more objective and accurate way to determine if you are lactose intolerant. A breath test measures excessive amounts of hydrogen in the breath, released into the bloodstream from the colon.

Over the years, there has been some debate over a bacterium (Mp) in milk that may cause the onset of Crohn’s disease. Some believe the bacterium may only contribute to the onset of Crohn’s symptoms, which would mean the bacterium causes a reaction similar to that in lactose intolerance. At this point, research regarding the milk bacterium is sketchy at best, but it is another avenue through which to explore the causes of Crohn’s and whether milk exacerbates the symptoms of Crohn’s.

If you have Crohn’s or colitis and discover that you are lactose intolerant be sure to find alternate ways in Okeechobee to supplement your diet with vitamin D and calcium.

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What is Crohn’s Disease?

What is crohn”s disease? Crohns disease is a chronic and serious inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include chronic diarrhea, abdominal cramping with pain, fever, rectal bleeding, appetite loss, and weight loss. Crohns disease can also cause symptoms outside of the gastrointestinal tract like uveitis, which is the inflammation of the inside of the eye, and joint pain and even skin problems.

I started crohn’s disease symptoms when I was 18. I used to have brutal diarrhea with terrible blood loss. My gastroenterologist at the time told me that I was suffering from stress. By the time I was 22 my symptoms progressed. I was tired all of the time for no reason. Everything I did seemed to exhaust me. Then one morning I woke up and when I opened my eyes I was in extreme pain. I was photophobic which means that I couldn’t handle light. I sat in the bathroom for hours because it was the darkest room in the house. I had no idea what was happening to me. My primary doctor referred me to an

Ophthalmologist and I was diagnosed me with uveitis. Uveitis is inflammation within the eye and causes photophobia. I was treated with steroid eye drops and within a few days my symptoms subsided.My next symptom was a rectal fissure. This is a crack that travels up the anus. It is extremely painful and I even had spasms with it. Bowel movements were excruciating. At this point I realized my current gastroenterologist was not for me.

My symptoms worsened very quickly after I developed the anal fissure and within a few weeks I was almost bed bound. My uveitis recurred, I had terrible diarrhea with bleeding and pain and I had painful cramping in the abdomen. My mother took me to the hospital and I was admitted immediately. During my hospital stay I was seen by another gastroenterologist who suspected I may have crohn’s disease. This is when the tests began

I was prepared for a colonoscopy. This is when the doctor uses a colonoscope which is a long flexible instrument with a lighted lens. This allows the doctor to view the entire large intestine and look for polyps and ulcers. I was anesthetized for the procedure. The preparation for the colonoscopy was the hard part. The test requires a clear liquid diet the day prior to the test and a bowel preparation is given. There are several preparations including golytely, oral sodium phosphate, oral sodium phosphate tablets (visocal), and magnesium citrate.

All of these bowel preparations taste awful. I later learned that if I put a piece of lemon in my mouth after I ingested the prep that it got rid of the taste. The bowel preparation cleans out the entire colon so I had diarrhea all day until I was sore. The bowel preparation is really unpleasant.

I was diagnosed with crohn’s disease and put on I.V. steroids. I was NPO which meant nothing by mouth. I ended up in the hospital for almost two weeks. When I was released I was put on several medications which were steroids, mesalamine, and flagyl an antibiotic. Other treatments include immunomodulator medicines and biologics. I was told that if the medications didn’t work that I would need surgery to remove the damaged part of my colon. Fortunately the medications worked and surgery wasn’t required.

I’ve had crohn’s disease for 18 years now and I’ve learned some tricks along the way. When my symptoms start to occur I put myself on a liquid diet which includes jell-o, broth and fluids. This may be difficult for some people to do because you will be hungry but it allows the bowel to rest. After a few days when I’m feeling better I progress to a semi-liquid diet which includes puddings and protein drinks. This usually works for me but for times when it doesn’t steroids usually do the trick. I still have the occasional hospital stay but overall my disease is under control.

Anyone with chronic diarrhea or has blood in their stool should see a gastroenterologist right away. If you are diagnosed with crohn’s disease research as much as you can. Researchers are developing new medications all the time. Be involved with your treatment; don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions.

 

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When Crohn’s Disease and Green Living Clash

At a glance you might think Crohn’s and green living couldn’t possibly create any conflicts. After all, the best diets for Crohn’s patients are wholesome organic foods. Their care and concern for the environment is no less that than any other eco-friendly citizen. Living green, or eco-friendly with Crohn’s, however, presents a few interesting and unusual challenges.

Crohn’s and Green Living: the Possibilities

There are several aspects of green living that are adaptable for a Crohn’s green lifestyle. Low energy lighting, solar lights outdoors, solar pool heating devices, treating the pool with natural salts and minerals instead of chemicals, skylights, and recycling are a few of the many green lifestyle changes to which Crohn’s patients easily adapt. People with Crohn’s disease can also shop green, supporting companies who are committed to reducing their carbon foot-print.

Crohn’s and Green Living: in the Kitchen

One thing Crohn’s patients can and should do to encourage green living is eat organic foods. The foods are healthier for everyone, but can be especially beneficial to those with Crohn’s disease as the less artificial fillers, waxes, and gunk put in their bodies the better off their digestive system will be.

When Crohn’s Disease and Green Living Clash: in the Bathroom

There are a few green living ideals which Chron’s sufferers cannot achieve. One you may find unusual, but that is highly significant is the use of biodegradable toilet paper.

Most toilet paper that is easily biodegradable is very rough. That’s not too bad if you don’t have Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. However, Crohn’s, especially when in a flare-up, keeps you in the bathroom. It doesn’t take long for rough toilet paper to create incredible, unbearable pain.

Crohn’s disease already inflicts enough pain. One more pain in the derriere may not be tolerable. Severe and chronic pain inside your guts leaves no endurance for rough toilet paper. Whether it is considered green living or not, if you have Crohn’s disease you need a soft paper to help prevent the onset of other problems like hemorrhoids, irritated tags, and torn body tissue.

When Crohn’s Disease and Green Living Clash: Cleaning

Another issue of green living that poses a problem for Crohn’s patients is the use of standard household cleaners. Crohn’s patients must keep germ proliferation to a minimum. Even with the recent flood of green cleaning products in the market, Crohn’s patients generally continue to use household cleaners that contain bleach or ammonia.

Certain germs that live specifically in the bathroom must be dead, so the Crohn’s patient stays healthy. One can hardly criticize anyone with Crohn’s disease for using traditional cleaning products to make sure that happens.

Even good bacteria in the digestive system can become life threatening when a Crohn’s patient’s immune system is compromised. For example, Clostridium difficile (C-diff) is a bacterium in everyone’s intestines. However, when C-diff enters the bloodstream of a Crohn’s patient or proliferates in their digestive system it can become life threatening. It is highly toxic and can result in death if left untreated.

Because C-diff and other germs and diseases prey on weak immune systems, Crohn’s patients have to show particular attention to the cleanliness of their surroundings. Fearing the possibility of getting sick will keep some individuals with Crohn’s disease from using green cleaning products, despite their germ killing claims.

It has everything to do with the instinct to remain healthy and is a mindset that keeps some individuals with Crohn’s disease from traveling without carrying their own cleaning supplies. As green cleaning products become increasingly available, and their reliability in killing germs is firmly established, this mindset among Crohn’s sufferers may change.

When Crohn’s Disease and Green Living Clash: Paper or Plastic?

Paper or plastic? The answer seems like a no-brainer for promoting green, eco-friendly living: paper or reusable cloth bags. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t that easy for Crohn’s patients. They need the plastic bags, and in order to live green and not become consumers of more plastic bags they will recycle plastic grocery bags for their needs.

This information is not something a typical Crohn’s patient would share, but in order to understand the conflict between living green and living with Crohn’s these issues have to be discussed frankly.

Plastic bags are a staple for Crohn’s patients who suffer from moderate to severe Crohn’s. Many Crohn’s patients lose complete control of their sphincter muscles. Crohn’s accidents are embarrassing and unhygienic. Sometimes, the only thing the Crohn’s sufferer can do is dispose of soiled undergarments and many times their clothes, as well.

For this reason many Crohn’s patients of a gastroenterologist keep plastic bags around the house, in their car, in their purse, or even tucked in the bottom of their briefcase. (They also keep a change of clothes tucked away.) When an accident happens there is enough concern about the incident, the smell, and getting the problem taken care of. The last thing a Crohn’s patient needs to do is walk around their home or a store with a smelly paper bag, because they are too green to use plastic.

Plastic grocery bags seem to clash with green living, but for someone with Crohn’s disease using plastic grocery bags is a legitimate and useful way to recycle them.

 

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Ulcerative Colitis and the ‘J-Pouch’ Surgeries: My Personal Story

Inflammatory bowel disease is not something most people want to talk about. It’s embarrassing. Who really wants to talk about poop anyway? It’s not exactly something you want to bring up during a girls night out, or while watching a football game with your buddies. Personally, I believe inflammatory bowel disease needs to be talked about more. People need to be aware of what it is and individuals who have it need not be embarrassed. After all, it’s not something that can’t be helped and it’s not something that is going to go away. That is why I decided to focus my counseling career on helping others who suffer from these horrible diseases. I want to get the word out. Here is my story:

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis four years ago when I was 25 years old. Before I was diagnosed, I had never even heard of ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease. For two years I did very well. I only had a few flares, which were able to be controlled with medication and diet. But then in February 2009, my whole world began to change. I started getting another flare but didn’t really think much of it. I went to my gastroenterologist who upped my meds and I thought I was going to be fine. But the flare got worse and worse.

I tried virtually every kind of medication available and nothing worked. I was losing an enormous amount of weight incredibly fast, was in severe, debilitating pain, running to the bathroom up to 20 times per day and I was miserable. Finally in April I was admitted to the hospital. After two weeks, two blood clots, 30 pounds lost, and my doctor telling my family that my case of ulcerative colitis was the worse she had ever seen, I was transferred to UC Irvine Medical Center to undergo my first of what ended up being four surgeries.

On May 5, 2009, I had my entire colon removed. I was to have a temporary illeostomy for five months. As soon as I woke up from the anesthesia I felt immediate relief, despite the pain from surgery. That relief was short lived however. The day before I was to leave the hospital, a fat pad which allows food to pass into your stomach, closed due to the amount of weight I had lost. I had to have a feeding tube placed through my nose into my small intestine. Several days later, after almost six weeks in the hospital I was allowed to go home. I lived with the tube for three weeks and I recovered slowly but steadily.

My second surgery was on Aug. 13, 2009. During this surgery, my doctor from Okeechobee created what’s called a “j-pouch” out of my small intestine. The “j-pouch” essentially acts as a new colon, holding waste instead of having to keep the illeostomy permanently. From the beginning my body didn’t react well to this surgery. Two weeks later I started feeling ill, couldn’t eat and was losing weight once again. I had to go to the ER twice because things just weren’t right. During the second ER visit, my surgeon decided to perform my third, and what was supposed to be my last surgery early. He found scar tissue that had built up which was the cause of all of my problems.

The third surgery, or “takedown,” was performed on Oct. 8, 2009. The purpose of this surgery was to remove the illeostomy and attach the intestine to my “j-pouch.” I finally did great with this surgery! Four days later I was home and recovering quickly!

For the next 10 months, I did amazingly well, except for the short stint in the hospital because of anemia which required a blood transfusion. But then in August 2010, things changed once again. I started having some odd symptoms and knew something was wrong so back to the doctor I went. I was admitted to the hospital and sure enough, my “j-pouch” had twisted! So, on Sept. 21, 2010 I had surgery number four to attach my “j-pouch” to my tailbone to keep it from twisting again. Since this surgery, life has been great. Things have gotten back to normal and routine, which will never again be boring!

The last few years have definitely been a rollercoaster with a lot of ups and a lot of downs. I have learned a lot from my experiences. I don’t take anything for granted anymore, even the smallest things like eating a meal, walking my dog, or spending a day outside, because these were all things I couldn’t do when I was sick. I have learned that I am a strong person and can deal with anything life puts in front of me. And I have learned that having a support system of close family and friends is incredibly important.

My life after ulcerative colitis and the “j-pouch” surgeries will always be different. But different isn’t always a bad thing. I will always be reminded of what I went through by my unusual digestive system and by the scars on my abdomen. I will always have the fear that I will get sick again or need to have more surgeries. There will always be “what if’s.” My thought though, is that by counseling others in similar situations and by getting the word out about inflammatory bowel disease, it will all be worth it.

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A Natural Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease, also called IBD, is a disease that affects almost one in five thousand people. It leads to uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea. The two main types are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease – which differ in the areas of the bowel they affect. What these two types of inflammatory bowel disease have in common is how difficult they can be to treat. Sadly, most sufferers have to settle for symptomatic treatment rather than a cure.

What Causes IBD?

Inflammatory disease of the bowel is associated with a hyped up immune response that’s directed at the intestines and bowel. It’s not clear exactly what triggers this disease, but some researchers believe that an imbalance in the types of bacteria found in the intestines plays a role. They also believe that altering intestinal bacteria through the use of probiotics could provide relief for some people stricken with this disease.

Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

How is inflammatory disease of the bowel treated? Various types of drugs that reduce inflammation and medications that alter the immune response are used – along with steroids. While these medications may calm the overactive immune system and reduce some of the inflammation, it comes at the price of side effects that can be serious in some cases.

Natural Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Professor Filip Van Immerseel, a Belgian microbiologist, believes that probiotics may be a safe and natural treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotics are “good bacteria” that can alter the immune response in the intestines in a positive way without harmful side effects. He notes that lactic acid bacteria seem to be particularly beneficial for people with inflammatory bowel disease.

How Might Probiotics Help Inflammatory Disease of the Bowel?

It seems that lactic acid bacteria produce a natural anti-inflammatory chemical known as butyric acid. Some studies have shown that there are lower levels of butyric acid producing bacteria in people with inflammatory disease of the bowel. They’re quick to point out that they haven’t determined which butyric acid producing bacteria are best for IBD sufferers and more research is needed to address this issue. The good news is several other small studies from the best doctors also show that probiotics hold promise as treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.

The Bottom Line?

It may be too soon to recommend probiotics as a way to treat inflammatory bowel disease, but there is a safe and natural way to get some of the benefits. If you’re not lactose intolerant, talk to your doctor about adding yogurt to your diet. One small study showed that yogurt helped some of the inflammation associated with this disease. Eating yogurt with active cultures every day may be helpful for some people who have to deal with this uncomfortable disorder.

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Nature’s Way in the Treatment of Acid Reflux

One disease that has been known to affect as many as 1 out of 10 Americans is called Acid Reflux or Gastroesophageal reflux Disease (GERD). Some recognize this disease’s symptoms as just common heartburn. Whatever the case many are plagued daily with this annoying and pesky disease which some are not able to find instant relief.

As a matter of fact most people living in the United States may experience a sensation of the acids in the stomach splashing up through the esophagus. This is the classic occurrence when people suffer the discomfort of GERD. This occurrence just happens in greater frequency with some people.

Many drug remedies have been prescribed to take care of the discomfort that acid reflux or GERD can bring. However, there have proved not to be the most excellent answer to everyone’s that experiences the sensations of acid reflux. Some have reported as having their condition worsened through the use of these inhibitors. In fact there has been a reported drug for the treatment of acid reflux that was consequently taken from the market due to death of a patient.

Let’s look at a couple of Nature’s ways in the treatment of Acid Reflux. Some may look to follow a method of cleansing the body through water that has been processed or filtered with some quality dietary supplements added. Filtered water is better for this due to the removal of additional contamination. This method cleansing may prove to be helpful in bringing back a person’s normal stomach quality.

The normal person should consume the proper amount or water daily to obtain a light golden color to the discharge of urine. The person that is bothered by acid reflux should drink more water to assist in thinning the acid and bring about a proper acid and alkalinity balance in the stomach.

Herbal relief such as wormwood is also very popular. Some people find garlic to be another remedy that works. Garlic has proven to be beneficial not only in the relief of GERD but also in other digestive issues. The freshness of the garlic is paramount in this treatment. The preferred method of ingestion is to crush and place in a liquid or the garlic may also be chewed after being crushed by a spoon.

When a person considers the side effects that medication can bring and the expense that comes along with this, Nature’s way of the treatment of Acid Reflux may be a great alternative. For more information, visit your trusted doctor.

 

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Crohn’s Disease: Do You Know the Current Treatments?

I’ve lived 60 years and I believe the worst discomfort I have experienced with this disease is cramping, especially when you are in public and have no place to go for privacy. You can tough through most aches and pains, including headaches, but when you have a severe cramp you have a problem. The worst of these types of cramps can be provided by Crohn’s Disease.

There are a number of different conditions associated with the bowel. They include Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is simply an alternative clenching and relaxing of the bowel causing cramping and occasional diarrhea and constipation.

Ulcerative Colitis is primarily a condition of the large intestine that causes diarrhea and bleeding. It is somewhat common and is often effectively treated with steroids and diet. It has components of an immune system failure.

However the condition we are looking at is Crohn’s Disease.

What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s Disease is a digestive system illness that involves swelling and inflammation of the digestive tract. It is probably as a result of the immune system mistakenly thinking that bacteria and foods are invaders and as a result dispatching white blood cells against them inadvertently attacking the person’s own body.

Historically the treatments have been steroids and when the situation was more serious it may even have required surgery.

Unfortunately the treatments, besides often being very uncomfortable, were not easy to live with and did precious little to stop the symptoms. This brings us back to the fact that it is difficult to live with the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease.

There are some new treatments for Crohn’s Disease.

There is a new drug that blocks an inflammation-causing molecule called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Remicade and Humira are anti-TNF drugs that have been approved by the FDA. These drugs help about 50 percent of the people who try them.

Following this logic, researchers went straight to the concept of blocking white blood cells from moving to inflamed tissues. They came up with a medication called Tysabri.

Unfortunately Tysabri can have serious and deadly side effects

There is one final approach and that is to employ immune molecules that are termed interleukins. This procedure has been the most effective working short-term 75 percent of the time and boasting a 50 percent long-term success rate.

While this treatment is not yet a public treatment, it is in the final clinical trials.

This is the most promising approach.

Crohn’s Disease most often hits people in their 20s. It can ruin an entire life. It can cause embarrassment not just from social cramping and other symptoms but surgeries can leave people with hard-to-manage functions.

In its most severe form Crohn’s Disease can block the bowel and cause severe inflammation.

Crohn’s Disease is a terrible condition. However, it would appear that there is some hope on the horizon. Consult with the best doctor for more information.

 

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Foods that Affect Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease closely related to Crohn’s disease. Not to be confused with Irritable bowel syndrome, which is a temporary condition usually resulting from poor diet, inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are permanent and without cure. There are, however, meal plans and foods that affect Ulcerative Colitis which should be eaten or avoided which can greatly reduce or intensify symptoms.

The major symptoms of ulcerative colitis are excessive gas, diarrhea and abdominal pain. As the name suggests, the ulcerative nature of the disease means that there is normally bleeding into the intestines which is found in the stool. Because ulcerative colitis most often occurs in the lower small intestines or the upper large intestines, the blood is bright red (undigested).

When discussing foods and meal plans with your gastroenterologist and their affect on Ulcerative colitis, one thing to understand is the uniqueness of each person’s situation and the extreme effect that has on their tolerance for food. While below are general guidelines, it is important that whenever you change your diet, you document changes in your symptoms in order to find a correlation between diet and symptoms. In many cases, ulcerative colitis can cause a narrowing in the intestines, which will react much differently to certain foods that another person who’s colitis does not involve this narrowing.

One of the most important things sufferers of this disease should understand is the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber. In people without this condition, both types of fiber are good and provide healthy benefits. However, in people with ulcerative colitis, insoluble fiber is very likely to cause problems. In simple terms, the difference between insoluble and soluble fiber is that insoluble fiber maintains it’s normal form as it passes completely through the intestinal tract.

However, soluble fiber, which also passes completely through the intestinal tact, forms into a gel-like substance when it enters the small intestines. The roughness of insoluble fiber often leads to irritation of the intestines in people with ulcerative colitis and can cause a flare up. Soluble fiber on the other hand is much smoother and gentler on the intestines and actually can aid in the prevention of a flare up. Insoluble fiber is found in the skins and outer layers of many fruits and vegetables such as corn, apples as well as wheat. Soluble fiber is found in the ‘meaty’ portions of fruits and vegetables as well as foods such as oatmeal.

The other important type of food to consider when discussing any intestinal disease like ulcerative colitis is dairy products. One important aspect of dairy products with ulcerative colitis is what it is eaten with. In many cases, dairy products when eaten as part of a large meal have no associated impact on symptoms. However, drinking a large glass of milk between meals can cause a rapid flare up. The reaction to dairy products is usually consistent within an individual, so if the glass of milk gives you a flare up one time, it is likely too in the future also. Dairy products are definitely one class of food where you have to pay attention to your diet and associate it with symptoms that occur later.

Finally, as with most intestinal diseases, there are unhealthy foods that should just be avoided . Foods and meals high in fat should be avoided, as well as meals that contained excessive amounts of processed foods. In almost all cases, high fat foods greatly increase the symptoms of any intestinal disease or disorder and ulceritive colitis is no exception.

There is also recent evidence that reveals that oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines can greatly reduce symptoms. These types of fish contain essential oils that are very good for overall health, so adding them to your meal plans is a healthy choice even if the benefits with ulcerative colitis are negligible.

Ulcerative colitis is an irritable bowel disease closely related to Crohn’s disease. Major symptoms include bloody stool, diarrhea and abdominal pain. There are many foods and meals that can affect the symptoms of the disease, but in most cases there are very distinct to the individual. Insoluble fiber can cause irritation to the colon, while foods that contain soluble fiber and certain fatty acids can actually sooth the inflammation.

Dairy products should be avoided in large doses except as part of a meal which contains non-dairy foods. Finally, the most important part of controlling this disease with meals is to record meals and symptoms and find out how they are linked in your own situation.

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