Crohn’s Disease: Victim or Victor? (NAPSA)—Strained marriages, control the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. For many people with mild to moderate active Crohn’s disease involving the ileum and/or ascending colon, the medication can control the symptomsof disease flares with fewer side effects than other steroids. Individual results may vary. The medicine is not for every- cancelled social commitments, even fears about traveling too far from a bathroom, are among the casualties of dealing with Crohn’s disease, a chronic condition that usually affects the intestines. Unfortunately, many people with the disease suffer in silence because of improper diagnosis or a feeling that “it’s all in my head.” It isn’t. Some 500,000 people in the U.S. suffer from Crohn’s disease, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), a national education and support group. Crohn’s is chronic and incurable, and currently, a total “victory” over the disease isn’t possible. Understanding the disease, however, and getting proper medical treatment as well as emotional support, can make you feel morelike a victor than a victim. Understanding Crohn’s Disease Crohn’s disease can be misdiagnosed since its symptoms may mirror other diseases. If you frequently suffer from any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor. Cramps and abdominal pain Persistent diarrhea Rectal bleeding Fever Loss of appetite and/or weight loss Crohn’s disease causes inflammation in the digestive tract. It usually affects the last part of the small intestine (ileum) and/or the first part of the large intestine (colon) but can occur in any section of the gastrointestinal (GD)tract. Many factors, genetic and environmental, may act together to cause the disease. Crohn’s disease one; it is contraindicated in @ Doctors can now prescribe new medication that may help improve quality of life for many people with Crohn’s disease. occurs more commonly in adolescents and young adults but anyone, at any age, can beaffected. Diagnosis and Treatment Your doctor may take X-rays to understand what part of the GI tract is affected and use a colonoscope or sigmoidoscope to help confirm a diagnosis. Both scopes are illuminated tubes that makeit possible to see into the rectum andthe large bowel. It is possible to achieve periods of remission or improvement when symptoms subside or go away completely. These periods of remission are usually interrupted by flares (active episodes of the disease) when the symptoms return or become worse. The main goals of Crohn’s disease treatment are to provide relief from symptoms and reduce the numberofflare-ups. Entocort™ EC (budesonide) capsule is a prescription drug approved last fall by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to treat and patients with known hypersensitivity to budesonide. People who take this drug may require supplemental treatment with a systemic glucocorticosteroid if they are undergoing surgery and subject to other stressful situations. They need to follow their doctors’ directions when switching to Entocort™ EC from a systemic glucocorticosteroid. This will help them avoid health risks. Patients taking corticosteroids should try to avoid exposure to infections such as chicken pox or measles. Emotional Support Often the final step in dealing with Crohn’s disease—and becoming a victor—is getting emotional support. Explain the disease to your family and friends and communicate that there may be times when you need additional rest or have to cancel plans at the last minute. There are a numberof resources that can provide support and keep you posted on new developments in treatments. Patients can call the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) at 1-800-932-2428 or visit the Web site at www. ccfa.org. More information on Entocort™ EC, including product information, is at www.EntocortEC.com.
