World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day observed at Fortis Hospital

Ludhiana, May 19, 2016: A free Camp was organised by Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana on the eve of World IBD Day. Under this camp, 193 people from different age groups were examined, in which 40 were found to be having Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
All patients were examined by super specialists, investigated, counselled and given free advised. Dr. Nitin Behal– Head Gastro Department, Fortis hospital Ludhiana - stressed that it was a holistic approach to therapy as they laid a great stress on comprehensive treatment. IBD clinic has been set in Fortis Hospital Ludhiana and our expert from IBD clinic team which had Gastroenterologist GI surgeon, trained nurses and dieticians from Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana were the part of the IBD Clinic/Camp.
Giving more information Dr. Behal said, “In India 5% Population is expected to have IBD by 2021- 20 million patients in India will have disease. Across the globe 5 million people live with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis, conditions known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). IBD leads to inflammation of the intestine, and is characterised by periods when the disease is active, and other times when it is inactive and patients may feel perfectly well. Between 30 and 50% of patients will require surgery because of their IBD during their lifetime. If left untreated or is badly managed, IBD can lead to colon cancer. Its Increasing incidences due to changing dietary habits (westernized diet and mineral water).
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis fall under the category of IBD. They are chronic inflammatory diseases and the symptoms include; chronic bloody diarrhoea with mucus, fever, malaise, weight loss, abdominal pain, and anaemia if the blood loss is severe or prolonged. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, with the most common site being the terminal ileum. Ulcerative colitis only affects the colon and rectum, said Dr. Pankaj Sihag, Senior consultant Gastro Intestinal Surgery.
The diseases are most commonly diagnosed in the second and third decades (13-30) just when people are approaching their most productive years and contemplating starting families. IBD causes significant direct and indirect costs and is an enormous economic and social burden on the country as well as on those individuals with the illness.
Patients were enrolled in IBD clinic, while they were offered services of Narrow Band Imaging (NBI), Chromo endoscopy, cancer surveillance. Patients were educated about the major improvements seen with use of biological medications said, Mr. Vivan Singh Gill Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Ludhiana.
Dr. Pankaj Sihag educated them about role of surgery in these diseases. All the patients were offered state of art treatment facilities under one roof.