Blood in stool is not always piles: Dr.Behl

Ludhiana, May 29, 2017: Whenever you see blood in stool do not panic. But one must not ignore it as it is not always due to piles. This message was given by Dr.Nitin Behl as part of public education initiative to 150 patients on the occasion of world digestive health day at Fortis hospital Ludhiana. Dr.Nitin Shanker Behl, senior consultant and head, Gastroenterology at Fortis hospital told the patients that this could be due to inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease. Inflammatory bowel disease is chronic disease and is of two type’s crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Common Symptoms of IBD are an urgent need to go the washroom, frequent loose motion, sometimes containing blood, decrease appetite, mucus in the stool, Weight loss and many more.

He told patients that if you don’t understand issues about your disease make a list and ask your doctor the next time you see him. One in four cases is diagnosed in childhood and delays in diagnosis are experienced in up to 25 % of under 18 year olds, causing physical, emotional and psychological stress. Dr. Behl told them to remember that if you are stressed or anxious or depressed it may affect your symptoms. Patients need to know about their medication and their side effects. Large number of patients has achieved complete control over their conditions by adhering to prescribed treatments and modifying their lifestyle and diet.

Dr. Behl highlighted role of timely colonoscopies and need to continue medications even when patients are well. Journey of life for these patients can be particularly difficult beginning early in life with 25 % cases diagnosed in childhood. Proper diagnosis gets delayed due to neglect for the symptoms and sometimes can take 5 years before a diagnosis is made. But if patients contact experienced doctors then things can become easier for them. He stressed on need for integrated management involving gastroenterologist, surgeon, nutritionist, patient educator and policy makers.

Mr. Vivan Singh Gill, Facility Director, Fortis hospital stressed on making office environment friendly for these patients. He also highlighted how at Fortis hospital there are special educators and health care providers dealing with this problem. He motivated patients to not work less than their potential but don’t do more than they can physically manage.