Cure Vs. Remission: Thoughts From A Crohn's Caregiver

In patients with Crohn's disease, neither of these treatments induces a cure; the best they do is bring a patient into a symptom-free state (remission, see below). Patients with ulcerative colitis can be treated with the surgical removal of the colon; however, surgery will not cure the underlying inflammatory disorder that the patients have, leaving them susceptible to pouchitis, arthritis, skin ulcers and other autoimmune diseases. The bottom line: When you have an inflammatory bowel disease, you have it for life. Part of the issue is the conflation of the terms "cure" and "remission." The cure of a disease and being in remission with a disease are not one in the same. According to Oxford Dictionaries , remission is "a diminution of the seriousness or intensity of disease or pain; a temporary recovery." Two of the major goals for patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are to achieve remission (an absence of symptoms) and maintain remission (prevent flare-ups of disease). CCFA reports that in a given year, 30 percent of patients with ulcerative colitis are in remission and that about 50 percent of patients with Crohn's disease "will be in remission or have mild disease over the next five years." Remission can be achieved in many ways -- through medication regimens, by having surgery to remove diseased portions of their intestines, diet modifications, use of homeopathic treatments or maybe even using their minds. For those who have achieved it, I am so incredibly happy for you and jealous of you. My husband, who has had the disease for seven years, has yet to experience a period of remission. I hope that one day soon, he will know what it is like to live in remission, even if it's only for a few days. However, these periods where the disease is minimally active cannot be confused with being cured of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The biggest issue at hand, though, is stating that a disease can be cured when it can't is not only false but it's harmful to patients, caregivers and the general public. It creates misconceptions about a debilitating disease that impacts the lives of 1.4 million Americans . visit their website http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-kaplan/personal-health_b_4675394.html





Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Diet





Well, no. Healthy cats dont vomit on a regular basis, nor do they have diarrhea. Chronic vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, and, if left untreated, can become life threatening. The most common cause of gastrointestinal problems for cats is Inflammatory Bowel Disease . Although cats of all ages can be affected, it is typically seen in middle-aged or older cats. The term IBD is used for a number of chronic gastrointestinal disorders. Physiologically, it is characterized by an infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lining of the digestive tract. The location of the inflammation can help determine the specific type of IBD. Symptoms of IBD Symptoms most typically include chronic vomiting and diarrhea, but sometimes, constipation can also be a problem. Some cats present with weight loss as the only clinical sign. Diagnosis of IBD To rule out other causes of gastrointestinal problems, your veterinarian will perform diagnostic tests that may include complete blood cell counts, blood chemistry, thyroid function tests, urinalysis, fecal analysis, abdominal x-rays, and ultrasound. The most definitive way to diagnose IBD is through biopsies of small samples of the intestinal lining. These samples can be obtained through endoscopy or abdominal surgery. These procedures require general anesthesia. Medical Treatment IBD is usually treated with a combination of medical and dietary therapy. Corticosteroids are used for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant properties, and they can also serve as an appetite stimulant. discover this http://www.examiner.com/article/inflammatory-bowel-disease-and-diet





Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats





All of these diseases are immune-mediated reactions of the gastrointestinal system to food, bacteria, or parasite antigens. These reactions get out of control, with large numbers of inflammatory cells collecting along the gastrointestinal tract and interfering with digestion and absorption. These syndromes can be managed but are seldom cured, and over the long term may lead to ulcers or cancer , such as lymphosarcoma. Recommended Related to Cats Nail Clipping and Nail Care for Cats Does your kitty disappear when the clippers come out? Do you have to wrap her in a towel to give her a manicure? According to our behavior experts, calm, enjoyable nail-trimming sessions are not only possible-thats how they should always be! Check out the following tips for getting kitty to relax while you trim, turning nail-clipping sessions into enjoyable together time. Read the Nail Clipping and Nail Care for Cats article > > Other health problems, such as parasites, hyperthyroidism , and kidney disease , must be ruled out first. Blood work and ultrasound or X-ray studies of the gastrointestinal tract may be needed. The role of bacteria in these syndromes has not been clearly established in cats but has been suggested, since cats tend to have higher concentrations of bacteria in their small intestines than many other mammals. This may be related to their being obligate carnivores and having a relatively short intestinal tract. Some scientists believe that cats fed a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that is more like a wild cats natural diet are less likely to develop these problems. In each disease in the IBD complex, a different type of inflammatory cell (plasma cell, eosinophil, lymphocyte, macrophage) accumulates in the mucous lining of the small or large intestines. Pancreatitis and intestinal cancer may cause similar signs. A definitive diagnosis is made by endoscopy or exploratory surgery, during which biopsies are taken of the intestinal wall. visit website http://pets.webmd.com/cats/inflammatory-bowel-disease-cats