New data on Crohn’s disease presented at Digestive Disease Week in Chicago

Total Health | June 4th, 2009

New studies show that patients with moderate to severe Crohn’s diseaseA chronic inflammatory disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract. can maintain remissionThe lessening or disappearance of the symptoms or signs of a disease. through three years of therapy with adalimumab (HUMIRA®).  It appears that not only has adalimumab demonstrated its efficacy at the beginning of the treatment but it has also shown to maintain its effectiveness over the long-term - pretty important when considering how to manage a chronicA disease of long duration generally involving slow changes. condition like Crohn’s disease.

A secondary analysis of the same study demonstrated that patients being treated with adalimumab for Crohn's disease may also be able to achieve long-term steroid-free remission.

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Expert articles

Inflammatory Bowel Disease FAQs

By Dr Charles Murray, Consultant GastroenterologistContact
The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, The London Clinic

For excellent and clear guidance I recommend the website of the National Association for Crohn's and Colitis www.nacc.org.uk which has an excellent advice section.

Prune Juice FAQs

By Dr Purushothaman Premchand, Consultant GastroenterologistContact
Queens Hospital

In addition to the article by Dr Premchand here is a useful summary of some relevant studies into the health benefits of prunes that have been published in the medical literature.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease - A New Treatment

By Dr Purushothaman Premchand, Consultant GastroenterologistContact
Queens Hospital

Inflammatory bowelA common name for the large and/or small intestines. disease (IBDAn abbreviation for inflammatory bowel disease, a group of inflammatory conditions of the intestine. The two major forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.) is the name given to a collection of otherwise unexplained symptoms relating to a disturbance of the digestive system, and which includes ulcerative colitisA form of inflammatory bowel disease causing inflammation and ulceration of the colon. (UC) and Crohn’s diseaseA chronic inflammatory disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract. (CD). It is a recurrent chronicA disease of long duration generally involving slow changes. disorder, and neither the process by which it originates and develops nor the precise effects of the disease on the body are completely known, however it is thought that they involve both geneticRelating to the genes, the basic units of genetic material. and environmental factors. 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease - An Overview

By Dr Charles Murray, Consultant GastroenterologistContact
The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, The London Clinic

The term Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBDAn abbreviation for inflammatory bowel disease, a group of inflammatory conditions of the intestine. The two major forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.) generally refers to both Crohns Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC), which, as the name suggests are both chronicA disease of long duration generally involving slow changes. diseases involving inflammationThe body’s response to injury. of the gastrointestinal tractThe gut, which begins at the mouth and ends at the anus.. Additionally around 5-10% of patients present with a colitisInflammation of the colon, also sometimes used to mean inflammation of the large intestine generally. (inflammation of the colonThe large intestine. or large bowelA common name for the large and/or small intestines.) that is difficult to diagnose as either UC or CD and can be described under the microscope as 'indeterminate'. Though there is much ongoing research we do not know the cause of these two conditions and subsequently cannot offer a 'cure' of either condition. 

Digestive Health and Prune Juice - The Natural Way

By Dr Purushothaman Premchand, Consultant GastroenterologistContact
Queens Hospital

There is general agreement amongst health professionals that a healthy diet, regular exercise, a good intake of water and less stressRelating to injury or concern. will all contribute to self-managed digestive health, but what if you are finding it difficult to get the right balance of these factors? Fibre is not a new phenomenon, and there has long been an awareness that unrefined foods can help to promote health and longevity. Research has been ongoing, but despite this more and more fibre-depleted foods have found their way into our diets. Your lifestyle, age and health issues may mean that maintaining a well balanced diet and being active are not always possible.

Recent news

How can you treat chronically active Crohn’s disease?

Published January 17th, 2012 | Last updated January 17th, 2012

Consultant Gastroenterologist, Dr Purushothaman answers the following question from a totalhealth visitor:

New simple test launched to differentiate between functional bowel disorders

Total Health | January 6th, 2012

The world’s first fully automated test for faecal calprotectin, EliA™ Calprotectin, has been launched in the UK. This test can differentiateThe specialisation of cells or tissues for a specific function. between a variety of functional bowelA common name for the large and/or small intestines. disorders including Crohn’s diseaseA chronic inflammatory disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract., ulcerative colitisA form of inflammatory bowel disease causing inflammation and ulceration of the colon. and irritable bowel syndrome (IBSirritable bowel syndrome, a combination of abdominal pain and constipation, diarrhoea, or bouts of each that occur in the absence of any other diagnosed disease).

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