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Craving Life Beyond Crohn's & UC |
 Jonathan Caron is a man with a dream. He is a professional triathlete with a fierce determination. And, he is a man with a true understanding of the devastating impacts of living digestive disease. Jonathan Caron has lived with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis for over 20 years.
Jonathan's dream is to someday be the first to cross the line at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. Once you read his story of courage and determination, we think you'll join the list of people who are looking forward to seeing Jonathan's dream come true.
When Jonathan turned 12, he went from being a very healthy, active kid with lots of energy to a young man who was very sick. His body was in turmoil and he didn't know why.
"Sometimes," he says, "the pain was so bad that I would curl into a little ball and wait for it to pass. On very bad days, I could not be more than a few steps from the bathroom. I would be in there every 20 minutes."
The challenges were not only physical. "I became afraid to leave home. I lost contact with most of my friends. My teachers didn't understand. The doctors did not help. And, like many other kids who find themselves living with a digestive disease, I thought I was the only one suffering and I slowly began to cut my link with the real world."
Over the next few years, Jonathan decided he want to do more than merely survive. Through painful experimentation, he learned what he could and couldn't eat, what activities he could and couldn't do, what medications helped, and how much sleep he needed to feel good.
His seventeenth years brought more series illness and another series of tests to determine that Jonathan had Ulcerative Colitis. Jonathan's doctor said he should listen to his body and choose non-physical activities that would be easy for him. He said Jonathan should learn to live this way. "It was tough to accept," says Jonathan, "that I would be like this for the rest of my life."
At about the same time, Jonathan saw the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii on television. He decided then and there that he wanted to swim 2.4 miles, ride for 112 miles and then run 26.2 miles. Jonathan confidently states that he wanted to take on the challenge and regain confidence and control of his life. "I decided that suffering from IBS would not hold me back, or keep me from having a normal life."
In the last 10 years, Jonathan has taken part in the World Cup Triathlon Circuit, become the Canadian National Long Course Triathlon Champion, come in second at the Ironman Canada competition and stood on the starting line at the most prestigious Ironman event in the world -- not once, but twice!
Jonathan hopes to one day be the Ironman World Champion. Until that day, says he will continue to work hard and surround himself with people who believe in him. "It's important to be open to a challenge," offers Jonathan, "because if you have the right state of mind, your body will overcome the challenges of competition and illness. Living with Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis has made me a stronger, more determined person - nothing can stop me!"
You can learn more about protecting your digestive health at www.CDHF.ca and follow Jonathan's story at www.jonathancaron.com. |
Be Aware and Informed -- Get the facts about IBD
Learning more about IBD -- Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis |
Your best defense against digestive diseases is to be aware and informed - aware of changes in your body that could indicate digestive disease and aware of the diseases that threaten digestive health. If you suspect you may have a digestive disease, seek the attention of your physician. Be sure to go prepared with an overview of your symptoms and a list of questions to ask. This issue of Digestive Bytes focuses on IBD.
Understanding Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is at least two, separate disorders called Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These diseases are extremely common and affect approximately 1 in 200 people.
Ulcerative Colitis causes ulceration and inflammation of the lining of the large bowel only, beginning at the rectum (proctitis) and extending varying distances upwards. The most common symptom is bloody diarrhea. There may also be weight loss, fatigue, fever and abdominal pain.
Crohn's disease is patchy in location and can occur anywhere in the digestive tract. It is most common in the lower small bowel (ileum) or large bowel. The most common symptoms of Crohn's are abdominal pain (often in the right, lower area of the abdomen) and diarrhea. There may also be rectal bleeding, weight loss and fever. Children with Crohn's may suffer poor growth.
Many of the symptoms of IBD are similar. Symptoms of IBD may include aching, sore joints, skin and mouth sores and red, inflamed eyes.
Testing to find Answers
To diagnose IBD, your doctor should take a complete history and perform a physical examination. Some of the following may be requested:
Blood tests can determine if you are anemic or if you have an increased number of white blood cells in your body which may suggest an inflammatory process.
Stool samples can also tell your doctor if there is blood loss or if an infection by a parasite or bacteria is causing some of your symptoms.
X-ray exams are sometimes necessary. These are done by putting barium (a white chalky solution) into the upper intestine (by swallowing the barium) or by putting the barium into the bowel by inserting a tube into the anus.
An endoscope allows your doctor to look inside your rectum and large bowel. An endoscope is a long, flexible video camera. During this test samples of the lining of the intestine (biopsies) may be taken to be looked at under the microscope.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions with responses provided from the Canadian Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (www.ccfc.ca)
Will the disease(s) ever go away?
Occasionally individuals with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have one attack and never have another one. A more common pattern however is for it to settle for long periods of time and then act up. The vast majority of people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis lead normal, productive lives.
How many people in Canada have IBD?
Current, conservative estimates put the number of inflammatory bowel disease cases in Canada at 170,000. Results from a national epidemiological study presented in 2005 show that Canada has the highest rate of Crohn's disease in the world and that the incidence and prevalence of ulcerative colitis are also among the highest.
Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) the same as IBD?
Though Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) does resemble Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the two are not the same. While IBS patients tend to have abdominal pain and irregular bowel movements, they do not have the intestinal inflammation that IBD patients have. Hence, while they appear to be similar in nature (and people commonly equate the two), they are actually separate medical conditions.
Can Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis be fatal?
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic diseases, meaning they recur throughout a person's life. The rate of recurrence is different for everyone, and some people can go years between disease relapses. In very rare cases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can have serious complications, such as toxic megacolon, which can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly. The severity of the disease varies from person to person, but most people lead active and full lives after being diagnosed. The life expectancy of those with Crohn's disease and /or colitis is normal.
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UCBeyond Awards
Scholarship opportunities for IBD patients |
An education is an important aspect of life for any young adult. However, when a student has to deal with health issues such as IBD, on top of all the other pressures of schooling, completing their education becomes increasingly difficult. That is why UCB Pharma Canada has initiated the UCBeyond Crohn's Disease Scholarship Program.
Seven, $5,000.00 CDN scholarships will be given out to seven IBD patients across the country, who can articulate in a one-page essay how they demonstrate an ability to go above and beyond their condition to continue their education and inspire and empower others. To be eligible, patients need to be attending any post-secondary education institution for the 2008 - 2009 school year and will have to submit a completed application form, proof of diagnosis and two letters of personal recommendation along with their essay.
Application forms are available in English and French online at http://www.CDHF.ca or www.chromecommunications.com or, for more information, please contact Chrome Communications at 905.567.1406
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Thank you for reading Digestive BYTES.
The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF) believes good health starts with
good digestive health. Our goals are to:
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REDUCE the incidence of digestive disease by promoting and preserving digestive health
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IMPROVE the quality of life for people living with digestive disease
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SUPPORT those sufferin from digestive diseases and the professionals caring for them
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ENHANCE Canadian digestive health research and education.
If you have additional questions, or wish to make a DONATION, please don't hesitate to contact our office at 905-829-3949, email us at Info@CDHF.ca or visit www.CDHF.ca.
Stay well. |
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