Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana organises awareness programme to celebrate IBD Day

Ludhiana, May 18, 2018: Fortis Hospital, Ludhianaorganised awareness program on World IBD Day. 50 patients their relatives attended the programme. The event was organized under the supervision of Dr.Nitin Shanker Behl, head of gastroenterology department at Fortis hospital Ludhiana. Program was inaugurated by Mr Vivan Singh Gill, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana.Live Fearless Campaign to make people aware of the disease and break stigmata associated with it was launched during the event.

Giving information about the disease Dr.Nitin Said Do not dismiss diarrhoea. Progressive loosening of stool may be the first symptom of a serious gastrointestinal disease long plaguing westerners but now increasingly observed among Indians especially Punjabis with alarming rates.

IBD, which stands for inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) are two serious, chronic digestive diseases that affect five million people worldwide. There is no definitive cure, no known single cause, and little public understanding of the pain and chronic suffering with which IBD patients courageously cope every day of their lives. Patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease, characterized by abdominal cramps, diarrhea and sometimes blood in the stool, Dr. Nitin Behl said we get three to four cases of IBD every day. "We have recently started a dedicated OPD services - IBD clinic - to deal with the disease burden," The disease strikes a person in the prime of life between the ages of 20 to 40 years. Suffering from IBD for 10 or more year’s leads to a high risk of malignancy.

According to Dr. Behl, community awareness of ulcerative colitis and crohns has to grow over the next decade. The stigma associated with these illnesses remains high. As a result, many people are too embarrassed or ashamed to speak about them, to seek help, and some don’t receive the treatment that they need.

Dr. Behl added “Living with IBD is much more common than you might expect: 1 in 250 Punjabis are currently burdened with a constant, often hidden, struggle that affects a sufferer’s personal, social and work life.”

“People recently diagnosed or living with IBD are often afraid — they’re generally confused by the diagnosis, worried that IBD will severely affect their day-to-day lives and put their dreams out of reach. With IBD patients stigmatized and often misunderstood by others, they can be embarrassed to discuss their illness with family and friends”

Dr. Behl said many patients get treated for tuberculosis or haemorrhoids as the symptoms are similar. "If a patient passes blood in the stool, he or she must visit a gastroenterologist immediately. Early detection and treatment is key to good recovery,

Mr. Vivan Singh Gill elaborated that “The most important thing for IBD patients to remember is that IBD doesn’t have to stop them living their life, or chasing their dreams. Fortis hospital provides a whole range of tools, reliable information and support services, including access to an inspiring, engaged community of people in exactly the same position.”

“With the support of Fortis hospital, community and support services, IBD patients can live the life they always dreamt of—they just need to embrace their ‘new normal’ and live fearlessly,” said Dr. behl.

On eve of world IBD day, Fortis Hospital Ludhiana also launched Can’t Wait Initiative to help patients who have been formally diagnosed with Crohn’s or colitis (IBD), gain access to Dr. Behl and his team at top most priority.