Sunanda Kane - IBD Self-Management: The AGA Guide to Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

THE AGA GUIDE TO CROHNS DISEASE AND ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Sunanda V. Kane, MD, MSPH

IBD Self-Management

The AGA Guide to Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

AGA Institute Publications Committee

Michael Camilleri, MD, AGAF, Chair

AGA Press Advisory Board

AGA Press

Disclaimer

This publication provides accurate information on the subject matter covered. The publisher is not providing legal, medical, or other professional services. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, procedures, or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favored status by the AGA Institute. The views and opinions of the author(s) expressed in this publication do not necessarily state or reflect those of the AGA Institute, and they shall not be used to advertise or endorse a product.

2010 by AGA Press. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

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eISBN 9781603560177

Library of Congress Control Number: 2009912969

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To my father, who pushed me incessantly because he knew I could accomplish great things if I just put my mind to it.

To Stephen Hanauer, MD, the best role model a young physician could ever have. He taught me the art of caring for patients, and I will always be indebted to him.

To my husband, who was so exquisitely patient, caring, and supportive while I spent even less time with him than usual to write this book.

W hether you are newly diagnosed with Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis or have been living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for many years, having credible and accurate information is crucial to your health. But finding the right resource on IBD can be a daunting task. Its easy to feel overwhelmed weeding through the sea of information, whether on the Internet or in the vast array of scientific research and the many books.

The Crohns & Coltis Foundation of America (CCFA) hears from hundreds of people daily who are searching for information on how to best manage and cope with their IBD. It is our priority to connect people with accurate information that will arm them with the knowledge and power they need to improve their quality of life and take control of their disease. It is also our priority to ensure that the resources we arerecommending are unbiased and balanced. CCFA has enthusiastically added IBD Self-Management: The AGA Guide to Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis by Dr. Sunanda V. Kane to our vast resource library. This valuable guide can be shared with anyone who is living with, or knows someone with, IBD. Easy to read and written in a supportive voice, it provides a thorough overview on everything you need to know about IBD and answers core questions about Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. It is filled with stories that bring to life the diverse experiences that many people can face because of IBD.

You are in good hands as you read what Dr. Kane shares with you. I have had the pleasure of closely collaborating with her as she has served as a dedicated advisor and volunteer for the CCFA. Her wisdom and expertise have helped to shape many of the resources that we provide to people living with IBD. Dr. Kanes honest approach, coupled with her dedication and sensitivity to peoples needs, is intrinsic throughout this book. We are lucky to have Dr. Kane, someone who is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of all who are affected by IBD, working with the CCFA and sharing her wisdom with all who read this book.

We are grateful that Dr. Kane and the American Gastroenterological Association have created this unique and valuable resource for all of those living with and affected by IBD.

Kimberly Frederick

Vice President, Patient & Professional Services

The Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America

W riting IBD Self-Management was a true labor of love. It is what I would want to teach you if you were a patient newly diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who was sitting in my office. Although I tried to cover as many topics as I could, because the field of IBD is changing so quickly, it would be impossible to be absolutely complete. Also, your IBD is a personal disease: you are a little bit different in how it affects you and what you need to do to live successfully with it. So, although this book covers the topics that are of concern to most of the patients that I meetand some you may not have even thought of or experiencedyou will need to look at it through the lens of your own goals and abilities to get the most out of this information.