Friday, October 28, 2011

Surgeries & Procedures Associated with IBD - Defined

I wanted to post a list of medical terms associated with IBD that we should know about. I did not have full awareness of a lot of the surgeries and what they entail and I figured it would be helpful to make this a blog post. Hope this is helpful to some


anastomosis
pancolectomy
colectomy
colostomy
ileostomy
ileosigmoidostomy
ileoproctostomy
ileosigmoid knotting
ileovesicostomy
ileotransverse
colostomy
ileoileostomy
resection
laparoscopic-assisted resection
stoma
enterostomy
Kock pouch
endorectal pull-through procedure
colostomy bag
adhesion

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Could RHB-104 Be The Cure For Crohn's Disease?? Very Hopeful Article

Wouldn't that be great!?? Actually curing the Crohn's!

Be encouraged and read this article, especially if you've been struggling with symptoms and just feeling blah because it's taking a toll on you. After reading this, you'll feel hopeful and optimistic about what's to come in the future and the advances that are in the making RIGHT NOW!

Even although the RHB-104 must undergo 2 years of clinical trials (US, Canada & Europe) before the drug can even be looked at by the FDA (our wonderful friends... that's sarcasm people), 2 years is nothing and will be here before we know it. Let's hope & pray that this medicine is found to be effective during the trial stage. If this RHB-104 is found to be successful, This would shed a whole new light on the disease and impact a huge population of people that suffer & struggle with Crohn's Disease everyday.

LOL is anyone else as giddy as me right now after reading that article?

Professor patents test for possible Crohn’s disease cure

The UCF Research Foundation has licensed a promising diagnostic test for the detection of the mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis, also known as MAP, bacterium in humans to an international biopharmaceutical company that is developing a treatment for Crohn's disease.
The diagnostic technology is able to diagnose MAP infection in humans using DNA testing based on nested PCR molecular technology. MAP is present in roughly 50 percent of people who suffer from Crohn's disease and could be a leading cause of the disease.
Dr. Saleh Naser, a professor in the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences in the College of Medicine, patented the diagnostic technology in 2009 with hopes of using it to help cure Crohn's disease patients who are positive for the MAP bacterium.
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract affecting about 700,000 people in the United States alone, with no cure.
"Our goal with this technology is to help speed the process of diagnosing, treating patients with the correct antibiotics and helping the patient begin remission as soon as possible," Naser said. "We want to see a change in these patients' lives."
Now that RedHill Biopharma Ltd., an emerging international biopharmaceutical company, has licensed Naser's diagnostic technology, Naser is closer to achieving his goal of diagnosing and treating Crohn's disease patients.
RedHill Biopharma Ltd. is currently developing an oral drug called RHB-104, which is intended to treat and possibly cure Crohn's patients with MAP bacterium, but without a way to detect MAP, the use of the drug has been limited. Partnered with the UCF Research Foundation, RedHill Biopharma Ltd. is able to use Naser's diagnostic test to detect MAP DNA in the patient's blood and finally allow physicians to prescribe RHB-104 to Crohn's disease patients.
"Our findings in our lab since 2000 is instrumental evidence showing that MAP is a significant part of this disease, and therefore the technology to detect such pathogens is extremely useful for diagnosis and ultimately treating this disease; and with that, our partnership with RedHill is sure to be valuable," Naser said.
Under the license agreement, in consideration for an exclusive license for all indications and medical applications, RedHill Biopharma Ltd. will pay UCF an upfront payment, as well as future net sales royalties of 7 percent to 20 percent.
Despite monetary advantages, Naser is most looking forward to putting his technology to use. RedHill Biopharma Ltd. is currently in discussion with Naser regarding the use of his technology to screen Crohn's patients for MAP infection to determine whether RHB-104 would serve as an effective treatment option in two parallel placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials, one in the U.S. and Canada, and one in Europe.
The trials will last two years and from there, if successful, Redhill Biopharma Ltd. will bring the data to the Food and Drug Administration for approval of RHB-104, and then Naser's technology and RHB-104 could possibly be readily accessible in local labs within five years.
If available to the public, patients will first get a blood sample taken at their doctor's office, which is then sent to a local lab where the blood's white blood cells are isolated and screened for DNA of the MAP pathogen. The information from the lab will be sent back to a doctor, who can then prescribe the patient with the either RHB-104 or an antibiotic to fit the patient's needs.
This is most hard-hitting for Naser, because he knows if these trials are successful, he could impact patients' lives.
"It is hard to establish the immense amount of phone calls and emails I receive from patients and their families who are desperate to be tested for this bacteria, because what is out there is not good enough and is not helping them beat this disease," Naser said. "For the first time, we might be talking about curing Crohn's disease and not just managing the disease; the patients know the difference."
For junior language arts and English education major Molly Taylor, that difference could change her life.
Taylor has suffered from Crohn's disease for seven years, first being diagnosed in her freshman year of high school. The diagnosis forced her to quit cheerleading as she became very sick with treatment. She dropped down to weighing 85 pounds, and soon she could not even go to school; instead, she had to take online classes for a year.
After going through invasive diagnostic procedures, trying five different treatment methods and now giving herself shots every week, Taylor is thrilled about this new discovery.
"The diagnosis process has been really hard and very invasive, but this sounds like a less invasive test. Blood samples are like nothing for Crohn's patients," Taylor said. "And to have found a cure for this would be the most amazing news for me. It is hard to face a disease daily that you know is never going to go away, especially when you first find out at 15."
For research assistant Sammer Elwasila, who has been working alongside Naser since 2006, this new technology means a new beginning for Crohn's patients like Taylor, and he is excited for the chance to make a difference in people's everyday life before it is too late.
"With this technology, we hope to accomplish a clinical test that a physician can order on the spot, and that can identify and diagnose Crohn's disease patients as quickly as possible, before the damage is done," Elwasila said.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Hyperbaric Oxygen - New Trend That Is Said To Treat Chronic Illnesses

Good article. I deal with the exact frustration that this article discusses. I am now seeing a naturopathic physician as well as my GI doctor and I must say, I am FINALLY beginning to get this disease under control. I'm very thankful to have found an integrated physician that is so good and has the knowledge she does about my condition.
The information about the Hyperbaric Oxygen is quite interesting. I'd like to read more literature about this treatment that discusses how effective it is. Interesting Info.


Hyperbaric oxygen infuses life, treats chronic illness

As the health care crisis mounts in the United States, the average American is not only getting older, but likely sicker as well. Many Americans feel they are not receiving adequate treatment from their primary care physicians and are now seeking out alternative or integrative practitioners, like naturopathic physicians. These same folks are not only searching for these "outside the box" thinkers more, but they are paying more out-of-pocket expense to figure out the root cause of their health concerns.
Naturopathic physicians devote more time to helping their patients and they use natural therapies to treat the same ailments for which many physicians don't have an answer. These therapies include: clinical nutrition and nutritional supplementation, natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, acupuncture, intravenous vitamin and mineral infusions.
One modality that has generated quite a bit of buzz in the news lately is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). During Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, patients lay inside an inflatable chamber that resembles a large sleeping bag.
Inside the chamber, ambient air is pressurized and the oxygen that is contained within that air is forced into a patient's lungs, tissues and down to the cellular level.
It has been shown that absorption of oxygen increases anywhere from around 20 percent while we are just sitting in open air to up to 50 percent in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.
Oxygen is carried throughout the bloodstream, and in and of itself is healing. Because HBOT is able to increase circulation of blood throughout the body, more blood and oxygen delivered to body tissues and cells translates to more healing. HBOT has been used for years to help heal wounds, infections, and to recover from all different types of surgery.
It has also been shown to affect the gastrointestinal tract, healing imbalances like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disorder.
Because the brain is the organ in the body that uses the most oxygen, many disorders associated with cognitive decline can be reversed or prevented using HBOT. These include: autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, stroke, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Other conditions that can be treated using HBOT include chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, Lyme disease, and virtually any pain syndrome.
With our increasingly busy lives, many of us forget to take the time to just slow down and smell the roses. Even without the conditions mentioned above, this therapy can be great to not only help prevent illnesses from occurring, but is also a great way to relax and have oxygen infused into our brains, tissues and cells. In doing so, this can increase our vitality, energy and mental clarity.
• Ahwatukee Foothills' Dr. Matthew Cavaiola is a licensed naturopathic physician and acupuncturist, who treats a variety of conditions and illnesses associated with the aging process. Reach him at (602) 432-2900 or visit www.phoenixantiagingclinic.com.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Colitis -The Different Types of The Disease

Hey people :)
I wanted to post this about Colitis because there are so many different types, and could be confusing to distinguish the differences of each disease. Here they are. I've also provided the link at the end of each type for more info if you want to read more about the condition.

Pseudomembranous colitis is inflammation of the colon that occurs in some people who have received antibiotics. Pseudomembranous colitis is sometimes called antibiotic-associated colitis or C. difficile colitis.

The inflammation in pseudomembranous colitis is almost always associated with an overgrowth of the bacterium Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), although in rare cases, other organisms can be involved.

Pseudomembranous colitis can cause you to experience painful, alarming symptoms and can even become life-threatening. However, treatment for most cases of pseudomembranous colitis is successful. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pseudomembranous-colitis/DS00797

Ischemic colitis is a disorder that develops when blood flow to a part of your large intestine (colon) is reduced. This can lead to areas of colon inflammation and, in some cases, permanent colon damage.

Ischemic colitis can affect any part of your colon, but most affected people develop pain on the left side of the abdomen. Urgent bowel movements and bloody diarrhea also are common to ischemic colitis.

Most cases of ischemic colitis are mild and resolve on their own in a couple of days. Still, because the condition can become severe, call your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of ischemic colitis.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ischemic-colitis/DS00794

Ulcerative colitis (UL-sur-uh-tiv koe-LIE-tis) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation in part of your digestive tract.

Like Crohn's disease, another common IBD, ulcerative colitis can be debilitating and sometimes can lead to life-threatening complications. Because ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition, symptoms usually develop over time, rather than suddenly.

Ulcerative colitis usually affects only the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. It occurs only through continuous stretches of your colon, unlike Crohn's disease, which occurs anywhere in the digestive tract and often spreads deeply into the affected tissues.

There's no known cure for ulcerative colitis, but therapies are available that may dramatically reduce the signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis and even bring about a long-term remission.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/DS00598
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS BASED ON LOCATION

Ulcerative colitis symptoms can vary, depending on the severity of inflammation and where it occurs. For these reasons, doctors often classify ulcerative colitis according to its location.

Here are the signs and symptoms that may accompany ulcerative colitis, depending on its classification:

Ulcerative proctitis. In this form of ulcerative colitis, inflammation is confined to the area closest to the anus (rectum), and for some people, rectal bleeding may be the only sign of the disease. Others may have rectal pain and a feeling of urgency. This form of ulcerative colitis tends to be the mildest.
Proctosigmoiditis. This form involves the rectum and the lower end of the colon, known as the sigmoid colon. Bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, and an inability to move the bowels in spite of the urge to do so (tenesmus) are common problems associated with this form of the disease.
Left-sided colitis. As the name suggests, inflammation extends from the rectum up through the sigmoid and descending colon, which are located in the upper left part of the abdomen. Signs and symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and pain on the left side, and unintended weight loss.
Pancolitis. Affecting more than the left colon and often the entire colon, pancolitis causes bouts of bloody diarrhea that may be severe, abdominal cramps and pain, fatigue, and significant weight loss.
Fulminant colitis. This rare, life-threatening form of colitis affects the entire colon and causes severe pain, profuse diarrhea and, sometimes, dehydration and shock. People with fulminant colitis are at risk of serious complications, including colon rupture and toxic megacolon, a condition that causes the colon to rapidly expand.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/DS00598/DSECTION=symptoms

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., ranks No. 1 for digestive disorders in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked among the Best Hospitals for digestive disorders by U.S. News & World Report.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Ahhhhhhhh!!! I HAVE Crohn's Disease!!: Still alive & Happy Fall!

Ahhhhhhhh!!! I HAVE Crohn's Disease!!: Still alive & Happy Fall!: I haven't posted anything in a while since I have been super busy. I've been packing, cleaning, moving and now I'm finally done and can get...

Still alive & Happy Fall!

I haven't posted anything in a while since I have been super busy. I've been packing, cleaning, moving and now I'm finally done and can get back to a normal routine again. Man, time flys! It's fall already people, which isn't a bad season however, winter will be here before we know it and let's hope it goes as fast as it comes. Winter always seems to drag and take forever to end. I think that by March or maybe February, I'll be craving a vaca somewhere tropical. I need some white sand and crystal blue water somewhere HOT!
I've started on the LDN again. It's been about a week and a half since I've been taking it and I'm feeling okay - Not bad, but not unusually good either. I'll be posting to give an update about how I'm feeling on the naltrexone. If anyone has Crohn's or a digestive disease and is treating the condition with Low Dose Naltrexone, feel free to share your experience.
I'm off ...............