The National Association of Crohn s and Colitis of Trinidad and Tobago CROHN S DISEASE AND ULCERATIVE COLITIS GENERAL PATIENT INFORMATION
You are reading this pamphlet because you or someone you known has been diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD); either Crohn s Disease (CD) or Ulcerative Colitis (UC). You may be scared and you re wondering what the future holds. This pamphlet seeks to give you some general insight into these illnesses and to help you better understand what is happening to your body. Who we are The NACCTT is a group designed to establish greater awareness about IBD, both Crohn s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, in Trinidad and Tobago. IBD is a chronic gastrointestinal disease that due to the nature of its symptoms many people do not seek attention. The group seeks to inform, educate and support patients with IBD and their families. Some members of the NACCTT at our Launch
What is IBD? IBD is the term used for Inflammatory Bowel disease. It occurs when the lining of the GI (gastrointestinal) or digestive tract becomes inflamed. This disrupts the body s ability to digest food, absorb nutrition and eliminate waste in an effective manner. There are 2 main forms of IBD: Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn s Disease (CD) The main difference between the two is that in CD inflammation can affect any part of the digestive tract and extend into the muscle wall, whereas UC occurs only in the surface of the colonic lining.
What causes IBD? The exact cause of IBD is unknown, latest research suggests that it may be caused by over activity in the body s immune system. Both Crohn s disease and ulcerative colitis appear to run in families, and certain environmental factors may also increase an individual s risk for Crohn s disease and ulcerative colitis. Whatever the factor, it triggers the activation of the body s immune system and sets off inflammation in the gut. The immune system cannot be turned off and this chronic process results in the manifestation of IBD. It is not gender, age or race specific. None of these diseases is contagious in anyway. Scientists estimate that 7 in 100,000 persons in the United States develop Crohn s disease, and 10-15 in 100,000 develop ulcerative colitis. At this time there are no statistics for diagnosed cases of IBD in Trinidad and Tobago. Is there a cure? There is no known cure for IBD but science is getting closer every day. This disease can however be controlled with proper medication, surgery, diet and lifestyle changes. This illness is not a death sentence- there is hope!
Symptoms of IBD may range from mild to severe and generally depend upon the part of the intestinal tract involved. They include the following: Abdominal cramps and pain Bloody diarrhea Severe urgency to have a bowel movement Fever Loss of appetite Weight loss Anemia or low blood count A flare-up or acute attack is when these symptoms are active. Flare-ups are unpredictable and can occur at any time. There are several types of treatment available for IBD (both Crohn s Disease and UC patients undergo similar medical therapies). They involve:
Medication Drugs that reduce inflammation: Steroids. They reduce inflammation (Should not be used in long term treatment) Sulfasalazine and 5- Aminosalicylates (5-ASA). These drugs reduce the production of specific chemicals that activate inflammation Immunomodulators. These drugs modify the way the body mounts an inflammatory response Biologicals. These target and block specific molecules involved in inflammation Antibiotics. While most are not anti-inflammatory (although some are), they do reduce infection that can be caused by the immune modulating effects as described above Drugs that manage symptoms: Drugs that reduce acid (antacids) Analgesics. These are for pain reduction Antidiarrheals. They should be used very carefully and with your doctor s consent Antispasmodics. These drugs reduce cramping by relaxing muscles in the wall of the GI tract Vitamins and minerals. These may be required as supplements Your doctor will decide which of these or combination of these drugs is right for your specific case. Remember all drugs come with side effects and you should educate yourself about possible side effects before using them.
SURGERY When drug therapy fails, surgery is the next option. It can greatly improve the quality of life of a person suffering with IBD. About 70% of people with CD and 40% of those with UC will require some sort of surgery at some point in their lives. DIET People living with IBD are at greater risk of problems like dehydration and malnutrition. It is important that they eat a balanced diet and take supplements if needed. Your diet does not cause symptoms but it may make it worse. Identify trigger foods (foods that make symptoms worse) and safe foods (food that doesn t cause problems) by keeping a food journal. Every person is unique but most safe foods include: white bread, bananas and applesauce. You may want to talk to a dietician to help you in this area. LIFESTYLE It is important to maintain a low stress lifestyle. Stress, like diet, cannot cause symptoms but it can aggravate them. Even though fatigue is a symptom of IBD it is important that you keep exercising. This may include light activities such as: walking, swimming, playing with your pet and yoga. Try to stay positive, this can be hard when dealing with a chronic illness but remember you can have a normal life when you are in remission.
Phone: (868)482-0736 Email: crohnsandcolitis.tt@gmail.com Website: www.crohnsandcolitistt.com