This information is intended for U.S. Residents only.
Posted: February, 2008
Volume 10: Raising a Child with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
by Marla C. Dubinsky, MD
If you have recently learned that your child has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), you are probably feeling concerned and perhaps overwhelmed. But keep
in mind that your child is not alone – about 1.4 million people in the U.S. have IBD, and about 140,000 of them are under age 18. Although IBD is a chronic disease, that doesn't mean that your child has to feel sick every day. There are many things you can do to help your child keep symptoms
under control. In fact, most people with IBD are healthy more often than they are sick. This newsletter will help you understand your child's
diagnosis and treatment, as well as the steps you can take to help your child manage the disease.
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Posted: October, 2007
Volume 9: A Patient's Story (And Their Loved Ones)
by David T. Rubin, MD
There are two submissions in this newsletter "One Patient's Story." One is from the fiancé of a
patient with ulcerative colitis and one is from the mother of a patient with Crohn's disease. These articles
very effectively share the emotions, fear and uncertainty that family and friends face when someone they love is affected by a chronic disease, and both echo a similar sentiment that not knowing what was
ailing their loved one was much more stressful than (finally) finding out the diagnosis and moving forward with successful therapies. So often we don't acknowledge that the other people sitting next to our
patients in the waiting room or in the exam room are profoundly affected by all that is happening. These articles provide an opportunity to reflect on this and to thank them for all that they do.
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Posted: July, 2007
Volume 8: IBD and Cancer
by David T. Rubin, MD
It's likely that you know someone who has been affected by cancer. The most common risk factors include family history, smoking, and exposure to toxins. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can also
increase cancer risk. But despite the increased risk, it is important to remember that most people with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) never develop cancer. This newsletter will
focus on IBD and colorectal cancer. It will also address lymphoma and small bowel adenocarcinoma, two other types of cancer that are sometimes associated with IBD.
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Posted: January, 2007
Volume 7: IBD and Your Diet
by Ellen J. Scherl, MD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for two chronic gastrointestinal diseases: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Because IBD affects the digestive tract it is very
easy to associate food with the diseases and be concerned that your eating habits caused your IBD. Your disease was not caused by your diet, nor can your diet cure your disease. However, what you
eat can affect your symptoms.
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Posted: October, 2006
Volume 6: IBD and Your Lifestyle
by Ellen J. Scherl, MD
In addition to taking your medication and watching your diet, there are many other ways to manage your wellness that can influence your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
This newsletter will focus on lifestyle choices you can make to help you control IBD symptoms, limit its impact on your activities, and lengthen the time
between flare-ups. Specific sections include exercise, stress, smoking, travel, and sexuality and reproductive issues.
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Posted: April, 2006
Volume 5: Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Medication Side Effects
by Gary R. Lichtenstein, MD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for two gastrointestinal diseases: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). These are chronic conditions that require life-long treatment for
most patients. As has been highlighted in Dr. Kornbluth's newsletter, Treatment of IBD, many treatment options are available and treatment is tailored to the needs of the individual patient. Medications
are available as oral tablets or capsules, liquid or foam enemas, suppositories, and injections. Like any medication that is taken long-term, some patients experience side effects when taking IBD medications.
This newsletter will review the classes of medication used in the treatment of IBD and discuss the more common side effects patients encounter. As we discuss the side effects of these medications, it is
important to keep in mind that these are life saving drugs and that while some people have significant problems with side effects, many more have few problems.
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Posted: November, 2005
Volume 4: Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
by A. Asher Kornbluth, MD
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consists mainly of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Although no cure for IBD (other than surgery for advanced UC) exists at present, effective treatments
are available. Active participation of patients in the treatment of their IBD and open communication with their physician is critical for a successful outcome. This newsletter will review the treatment
options available and some steps you as the patient can take to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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Posted: December, 2004
Volume 3: The Clinical Course of IBD
by Maria T. Abreu, MD
For many patients receiving a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be quite a shock. Often there is an initial feeling of relief that the blood in their stool is not a sign of cancer; but
this feeling can be fleeting when patients realize they have a disease that will require life-long management. Patients want to know what is going to happen to them and what they can expect in the future
if their disease progresses. The development of a disease over a period of time is called the clinical course. This newsletter will focus on the clinical course of IBD to help patients and their families
understand how their disease may affect them over time.
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Posted: June, 2004
Volume 2: What Causes Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
by Daniel H. Present, MD
Etiology is the term used in medicine to describe the cause or reason for the development of a disease or condition. My patients who are newly diagnosed with either ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohns
disease (CD) are often concerned about how they developed these diseases and what it means to their future and their families. They want to know what causes it, and if there is anything they did to provoke
the illness. They would like to know if there is anything they can do to prevent anyone else in the family from developing the same problems.
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Posted: February, 2004
Volume 1: Staying on Medication - Your Health Depends On It
by Stephen B. Hanauer, MD
People being treated long-term with medications for chronic diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), often don't like taking their medicine. You may feel like it's a constant reminder that you
have a disease. It can be hard to remember to take medicine, especially when it is inconvenient. You may feel like there are too many pills and worry about side effects or the long-term consequences of taking
medicine all of the time. You may not understand why you have to take medicine when you feel just fine, and you may want to take medicine only when you have symptoms. Other people share these same concerns.
You're not alone. Approximately one million people in America have IBD. Many take daily medication to control symptoms. Millions of people need to take medicine everyday for other conditions too, sometimes
several times a day. You probably have family members taking daily medication for high blood pressure, arthritis, or other conditions.
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