Latest news with #IBD
Health Line
13 hours ago
- Health
- Health Line
Can Ulcerative Colitis Be Deadly?
Key takeaways While ulcerative colitis itself is not fatal, it's a chronic disease that needs to be properly managed to prevent serious health complications. Potentially serious health complications that can result from UC include toxic megacolon, a perforation in your bowel, primary sclerosing cholangitis, colorectal cancer, and heart disease. UC is a chronic condition that, for most people, requires lifelong treatment, and the only way to cure the condition is by having surgery to remove your colon and rectum. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a lifelong condition that you need to manage. It's not deadly on its own, but it is a serious disease that can cause some dangerous and potentially life threatening complications, especially if you don't get the right treatment. UC is one form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation in the inner lining of your rectum and your large intestine (also known as your colon). The other type of IBD, Crohn's disease, can affect any part of your digestive tract. When you have UC, your immune system mistakenly attacks your intestines, and these attacks lead to inflammation and sores, or ulcers, in your intestines. Treatments are available for UC. Most people with UC have a full life expectancy. However, according to one 2003 Danish study, complications can increase the risk of an early death. Ulcerative colitis complications While UC itself usually isn't fatal, some of its complications can be. Potentially serious health complications that can result from UC include: toxic megacolon a perforation (hole) in your bowel primary sclerosing cholangitis colorectal cancer heart disease Toxic megacolon The most serious possible complication related to UC is toxic megacolon, which is swelling of your colon that can cause it to rupture. This condition affects up to 10% of people with UC. Some studies show that the death rate among people hospitalized with toxic megacolon is around 6.5%. However, the death rate drops to less than 2% in people with IBD who receive an early diagnosis and prompt medical care. Bowel perforation A hole in your bowel is also dangerous. Bacteria from your intestine can get into your abdomen and cause a potentially life threatening infection called peritonitis. Primary sclerosing cholangitis Primary sclerosing cholangitis is another rare but serious complication of UC. It causes swelling and damage around your liver and in your bile ducts, which carry digestive fluid from your liver to your intestines. Scars can form and narrow your bile ducts, and this can eventually cause severe liver damage. In time, you can develop serious infections and liver failure. These conditions can be life threatening. Colorectal cancer According to a 2001 research review, people with UC have up to an 8% chance of developing colorectal cancer within 20 years of their UC diagnosis. In comparison, the review noted that the risk among the larger population was 3% to 6%. More recently, a 2023 review article noted that rates of colorectal cancer among people with UC are decreasing but are still higher than the rates in the larger population. Colorectal cancer can be fatal if it spreads to other parts of your body. Heart conditions According to a 2022 study, UC is associated with a greater risk of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. And a 2023 study suggests that people with IBD are at a higher risk of death from these types of heart conditions.
The Age
15 hours ago
- Health
- The Age
‘I thought my life would change': Overcoming an invisible disease to get back into sport
Two years ago, 15-year-old Sienna Warren was diagnosed with severe Crohn's disease. She has also had colitis, or inflammation of the large intestine. The diagnosis has meant months away from school and a slowing down of the active life she led before. 'I still get pretty bad brain fog that interferes with school, and fatigue which interferes with activities I want to do,' Sienna says. 'I love crafts, I love singing, I love dancing, I would love to do drama, but I just can't. And it's hard to do sport in school.' There are two main types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Crohn's disease and colitis. The main symptoms and complications include fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. An estimated 180,000 Australians live with IBD, about 5240 of whom are children and 21,590 are young adults aged 19 to 29. The disease can hinder or prevent people from doing things many of us take for granted, like dating or attending school or work. It can also make it difficult for people, like Sienna, to play sport. According to the latest State of the Nation Report, published by Crohn's & Colitis Australia earlier this year, 21 per cent of adults and 18 per cent of children with IBD had severe problems with, or were unable to participate in, sport. Invisible disease Sienna says IBD is an 'invisible disease', and that more education is needed to help the public better understand its impact. 'We're looking at disabilities in school, but all the disabilities they're looking at are visible disabilities and visible impairments. It's not enough,' she says.
The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
Bet you didn't know there's a link between the mouth and digestive problems
For many of us, oral health is only a concern when tooth or gum pain occurs. Otherwise, regular dental checks are easily dismissed. However, this neglect can lead to a cascade of issues that include worsening cavities and gum disease as well as heightened risk for digestive problems. This might come as a surprise as the mouth and the gut appear to be completely separate. Professor Seow Liang Lin, dean of IMU University's School of Dentistry explained, 'Bacteria from gum disease can cross the blood barrier and survive gastric juices, allowing it to populate the gut and affect the balance of good gut bacteria that help with digestion. 'It is medically well-established that patients with gum disease are more likely to have inflammatory conditions of the gut such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn's disease.' She added: 'The oral cavity and the gut harbour some of the most dense and diverse microbial communities; they share a common factor, which is the presence of good and bad bacteria that usually exist in balance. 'However, this balance can be disrupted by many factors, such as the presence of oral bacteria in the gut which releases toxins that trigger inflammation, while suppressing the good bacteria that helps to fight inflammation.' Similarly, digestive health issues can also have an impact on oral health. For example, the backflow of acidic stomach juices in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) can erode teeth enamel, leading to thinning of tooth structure, irreversible tooth damage and sensitivity. Moreover, tooth loss has been found to be associated with a lower relative abundance of Faecalibacterium, which secretes short-chain fatty acids believed to have systemic anti-inflammatory effect. 'The relationship between oral health and gut health is more direct than most people realise, and oral health is more important than you think, because it can have an impact on your overall health and well-being. 'The oral cavity acts as a gateway for microbial colonisation, shaping the composition of subsequent microbial communities along the respiratory and digestive systems. 'Dental problems such as decay and gum diseases that have gone unnoticed may eventually lead to tooth loss and result in difficulty in chewing. 'This, in turn, may affect a person's food choices, such as avoiding meats or vegetables in favour of processed foods that are easier to bite into, and lead to malnutrition or constipation,' said Prof Seow. Another factor affecting oral health is smoking, which disrupts gum health in the oral cavity, triggers inflammatory responses in the mouth and reduces blood supply to the gums, leading to gum inflammation. Oral health redefined With ongoing research, more connections between oral health and other diseases may be established, but the existing data on gut health is already compelling and a good reminder to make oral health an important aspect of health. This means getting regular check-ups to detect problems early, when they can still be remedied e.g. tooth decay can cause sensitivity or pain, and thus prompt a visit to the dentist. However, gum disease can often progress without any pain and symptoms like bleeding are often ignored. Over time, the underlying bone structure will be compromised and the tooth become loose. By then, there is nothing that can be done to reverse it, pointed out Prof Seow. 'The usual advice is to see your dentist at least once a year but it is more relevant to look at your risk factors. 'If you have been practicing good oral hygiene and have no known issues, annual check-ups might be sufficient. 'However, the presence of tooth decay or gum disease, or the use of braces or other prosthesis that easily retain plaque, may require more regular attention, perhaps twice a year or even quarterly, depending on your dentist's recommendation,' she said. Prof Seow advocates making your dentist your trusted ally. 'Having a regular dentist who is familiar with your history can encourage more open discussion and education on oral care solutions that are relevant and effective for you,' she concludes.
The Age
a day ago
- Health
- The Age
‘I thought my life would change': Overcoming the invisible disease to get back into sport
Sienna wears an ostomy bag, which is sometimes visible and can attract attention from other kids. Loading 'I bought a skipping rope last year. I think I've used it about five times and then I just couldn't ... some kids like to watch, and I think that's the most embarrassing thing of all,' she says. ' I'm not embarrassed with my bag … but kids are judgmental when they see someone different.' She is not aware of any classmates with IBD, and is the youngest member in all the local support groups she belongs to. Sienna talks openly about her experiences living with ulcerative colitis on her Instagram, @thatgirlwithibd, where she has connected with other young people like herself around the world. In sharing her life openly, she hopes to inspire others to embrace their differences. 'Don't let people take away your joy just because you're different. If you're weird, be weird,' she says. Seeing what you can do Associate Professor Greg Moore, a gastroenterologist and head of IBD at Melbourne's Monash Medical Centre, says certain symptoms, like fatigue, can make it difficult for people to participate in sport. But with the right treatment, he says, 'there's no reason you can't exercise with Crohn's or colitis'. 'We're very much about, engaging with life to the full, being fearless, and getting out there and seeing what you can do.' Treatment for IBD depends on factors such as severity, but can include surgery, medication and hospital-based infusions. But while IBD can make it difficult for patients to participate in athletic activity, exercise itself can be an effective therapy for managing its symptoms and improving patients' quality of life. 'Exercise is very important. It's an anti-inflammatory in itself, so can help with fatigue [for example],' says Moore. 'It's not as bad as I thought' For 12-year-old Steph Cassar, an ulcerative colitis diagnosis two years ago has not stopped her love for sport. 'I didn't know what to think at first. I was really, really sad. I thought my life would change, and it has, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be,' the Melbourne student says of the diagnosis. While she occasionally has to sit out from matches or training (before treatment, playing sport triggered bleeding), Cassar maintains a busy sport schedule playing indoor cricket, AFL and indoor soccer. Her favourite subject at school is PE. Loading 'I was nervous to start sport again,' she says, but 'I love to hang out with my friends and teammates'. Cassar's mother, Louise, sees sport as an equaliser for her daughter. 'When Steph gets out there and plays footy, she's just like all the other kids. She doesn't feel like she's different,' she says. For Louise, dealing with judgement from other parents, rather than managing her daughter's disease itself, can be toughest. 'I remember one of the parents saying to me, 'Steph hadn't been at training.' I explained she wasn't feeling good, and they said, 'Oh, she looks fine to me'.' 'That really upset me,' says Louise. Gabriella Lay, 25, was diagnosed with Crohn's while doing her HSC. 'My symptoms started because I used to dance so much and whenever I would dance, I would have abdominal pain. It was really tough,' she says. Loading The stress of year 12 exacerbated these symptoms, and she struggled to eat. Now in remission (Lay underwent surgery in 2018), she has the occasional flare-up but is mostly fine. In recent years, she's returned to dance classes and also enjoys Pilates and yoga. 'The pain is how I got diagnosed through dancing, so going back to it was quite nerve-racking because I just wasn't sure how my body would react,' she says. 'It felt really emotional because I loved it so much growing up, it was my whole personality and I thought maybe I would do something with dancing, and then once my Crohn's hit, it made me reconsider the path I wanted to take with my career.' Today, Lay works as a marketing and communications coordinator at Sydney Dance Company, a job which allows her to indulge her passion, albeit not in the way she imagined as a young girl. While Lay says awareness about Crohn's is still low, conversations around it are growing. 'It's not a very glamorous disease, so it's not something you want to talk about with people. There's definitely a stigma around it, but I think part of talking about it is what de-stigmatises it.'
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I thought my life would change': Overcoming the invisible disease to get back into sport
'We're looking at disabilities in school, but all the disabilities they're looking at are visible disabilities and visible impairments. It's not enough,' she says. Sienna wears an ostomy bag, which is sometimes visible and can attract attention from other kids. 'I bought a skipping rope last year. I think I've used it about five times and then I just couldn't ... some kids like to watch, and I think that's the most embarrassing thing of all,' she says. ' I'm not embarrassed with my bag … but kids are judgmental when they see someone different.' She is not aware of any classmates with IBD, and is the youngest member in all the local support groups she belongs to. Sienna talks openly about her experiences living with ulcerative colitis on her Instagram, @thatgirlwithibd, where she has connected with other young people like herself around the world. In sharing her life openly, she hopes to inspire others to embrace their differences. 'Don't let people take away your joy just because you're different. If you're weird, be weird,' she says. Seeing what you can do Associate Professor Greg Moore, a gastroenterologist and head of IBD at Melbourne's Monash Medical Centre, says certain symptoms, like fatigue, can make it difficult for people to participate in sport. But with the right treatment, he says, 'there's no reason you can't exercise with Crohn's or colitis'. 'We're very much about, engaging with life to the full, being fearless, and getting out there and seeing what you can do.' Treatment for IBD depends on factors such as severity, but can include surgery, medication and hospital-based infusions. But while IBD can make it difficult for patients to participate in athletic activity, exercise itself can be an effective therapy for managing its symptoms and improving patients' quality of life. 'Exercise is very important. It's an anti-inflammatory in itself, so can help with fatigue [for example],' says Moore. 'It's not as bad as I thought' For 12-year-old Steph Cassar, an ulcerative colitis diagnosis two years ago has not stopped her love for sport. 'I didn't know what to think at first. I was really, really sad. I thought my life would change, and it has, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be,' the Melbourne student says of the diagnosis. While she occasionally has to sit out from matches or training (before treatment, playing sport triggered bleeding), Cassar maintains a busy sport schedule playing indoor cricket, AFL and indoor soccer. Her favourite subject at school is PE. Loading 'I was nervous to start sport again,' she says, but 'I love to hang out with my friends and teammates'. Cassar's mother, Louise, sees sport as an equaliser for her daughter. 'When Steph gets out there and plays footy, she's just like all the other kids. She doesn't feel like she's different,' she says. For Louise, dealing with judgement from other parents, rather than managing her daughter's disease itself, can be toughest. 'I remember one of the parents saying to me, 'Steph hadn't been at training.' I explained she wasn't feeling good, and they said, 'Oh, she looks fine to me'.' 'That really upset me,' says Louise. Gabriella Lay, 25, was diagnosed with Crohn's while doing her HSC. 'My symptoms started because I used to dance so much and whenever I would dance, I would have abdominal pain. It was really tough,' she says. Loading The stress of year 12 exacerbated these symptoms, and she struggled to eat. Now in remission (Lay underwent surgery in 2018), she has the occasional flare-up but is mostly fine. In recent years, she's returned to dance classes and also enjoys Pilates and yoga. 'The pain is how I got diagnosed through dancing, so going back to it was quite nerve-racking because I just wasn't sure how my body would react,' she says. 'It felt really emotional because I loved it so much growing up, it was my whole personality and I thought maybe I would do something with dancing, and then once my Crohn's hit, it made me reconsider the path I wanted to take with my career.' Today, Lay works as a marketing and communications coordinator at Sydney Dance Company, a job which allows her to indulge her passion, albeit not in the way she imagined as a young girl. While Lay says awareness about Crohn's is still low, conversations around it are growing. 'It's not a very glamorous disease, so it's not something you want to talk about with people. There's definitely a stigma around it, but I think part of talking about it is what de-stigmatises it.'
