It is not a pleasant subject, but inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a fact of life for many people. That's especially tough when you are a child.
“There are about four million people in the U.S. with IBD,” says Ritu Walia, M.D., pediatric gastroenterologist at Sinai Hospital. “About 5,000 people are diagnosed with IBD each year.
There are 50,000 to 100,000 children in the U.S. with it,” she says.
IBD includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD should not be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although both are intestinal tract conditions and have similar symptoms of . IBS is not a disease and doesn’t increase the risk of colon cancer. IBD, in constrast, is characterized by inflammation in the small and/or large intestines and can increase the risk of cancer.
Dr. Walia presented "Biologics in the Care of IBD" as part of the Dr. Jennifer Ann Kierson Memorial Pediatric Grand Rounds Series on February 15. Traditionally, physicians have prescribed steroids like Prednisone, which can cause “huge side effects.” Dr. Walia says. Some possible side effects of steroids are slowing growth and bone development, hypertension, osteoporosis, bloating and mood swings, among other things.
Biologics, on the other hand, are proteins that prevent substances in the body that cause inflammation. They do not cause the same side effects of steroids but the patient’s immune system should be monitored. One recent article in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy News pointed out that while every patient is different, "current evidence suggests that biologic therapy will significantly reduce the most severe consequences of [Crohn's Disease]."
Even though biologics are more expensive, perhaps it is time for the medical profession to consider treatment with biologics as the first line of defense in treating IBD and not the last, Dr. Walia concludes.
Treatment with biologics is “steroids-sparing, improves the quality of life and facilitates normal growth and development,” says Dr. Walia, which is especially important for a child with IBD.
-Sandra Crockett
Showing posts with label gastroenterology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gastroenterology. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Sinai Gastroenterologist Receives Prestigious Award
Sudhir K. Dutta, M.D., the head of the Division of Gastroenterology at Sinai Hospital, was awarded the designation “Master of the American College of Gastroenterology” at the ACG’s annual scientific meeting last weekend.
The ACG is a national association representing more than 11,000 clinical gastroenterologists and other specialists in digestive diseases. The ACG names very few of its Fellows as Masters, says President Philip O. Katz, M.D.
“It limits this distinction only to those few, who because of their recognized stature and achievement in clinical gastroenterology, and because of their contributions to the College in service and leadership, have been recommended by the Awards Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees,” Katz says.
Dutta said he is honored by the recognition of his peers.
“It is a rare distinction bestowed by the College. They have given it to only 104 people in the entire history of the College," he says.
Dutta has represented Maryland at the annual meeting for several years as governor of the ACG. He has published more than 300 articles and abstracts in scientific journals. In 2000, Dutta was selected by Baltimore magazine as one of its “Best Physicians in the Region."
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dutta, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
Friday, September 3, 2010
Drink Water: Your Colon Will Thank You
This weekend may mark the end of summer. But warmer weather this weekend mean you should be sure to pack lots of water for the park, beach or car.
"Water is the most important part of a balanced diet," says Sinai Hospital gastroenterologist John Rabine, M.D.
While there is no direct correlation between gastrointestinal troubles, such as diarrhea, constipation and nausea, and high heat, Dr. Rabine says those who have Irritable Bowel Syndrome can find that heat is a trigger. Other elements, including lack of sleep and stress, can cause the evil IBS to flare, resulting in diarrhea, abdominal pain or upset stomach.
Additionally, the elderly are at risk for chronic colitis when it's hot out, Dr. Rabine says.
"As folks get older, the colon gets by day in and day out," he says. But not enough water can lead the colon to struggle in staying regular. The symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, feeling light headed, loss of appetite, and darkening of the urine.
Those who develop acute colitis may find themselves in the hospital to cope with dehydration. Symptoms of colitis include rectal bleeding and acute diarrhea. "It's not subtle," Dr. Rabine says.
The bottom line? Stay hydrated this weekend.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist, call 410-601-WELL (9355) .
"Water is the most important part of a balanced diet," says Sinai Hospital gastroenterologist John Rabine, M.D.
While there is no direct correlation between gastrointestinal troubles, such as diarrhea, constipation and nausea, and high heat, Dr. Rabine says those who have Irritable Bowel Syndrome can find that heat is a trigger. Other elements, including lack of sleep and stress, can cause the evil IBS to flare, resulting in diarrhea, abdominal pain or upset stomach.
Additionally, the elderly are at risk for chronic colitis when it's hot out, Dr. Rabine says.
"As folks get older, the colon gets by day in and day out," he says. But not enough water can lead the colon to struggle in staying regular. The symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, feeling light headed, loss of appetite, and darkening of the urine.
Those who develop acute colitis may find themselves in the hospital to cope with dehydration. Symptoms of colitis include rectal bleeding and acute diarrhea. "It's not subtle," Dr. Rabine says.
The bottom line? Stay hydrated this weekend.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist, call 410-601-WELL (9355) .
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Visit Sinai Booth at the Hare Krishna Festival of India
If it’s summertime in Baltimore, it’s festival time!
The Baltimore 2010 Hare Krishna Festival of India is Saturday, one of the many fun ethnic events that are celebrated during Baltimore hot summers.
“All are invited to come partake of the great food and music,” says Dr. Neeraj Verma, an anesthesiologist at Sinai Hospital.
And while you’re there, look for the Sinai Hospital GI Associates booth where someone will be on hand to provide information that could save lives.
You can learn about gastrointestinal distress such as bloating, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation. Maybe you have trouble swallowing, are bothered by a burning sensation in the throat or stomach reflux, and want to know why. Perhaps you want to know when – and where - to get a colonoscopy. Remember, while the standard guidelines recommend getting a colonoscopy at age 50, there are some people, such as those who have a family history of colon cancer, who should start earlier.
Dr. Sudhir Dutta, Dr. John Rabine and Dr. Vinod Parashar are board-certified gastroenterologists at Sinai Hospital. They can provide complete diagnosis and treatment for disorders of the colon, stomach, esophagus, small bowel and the biliary and pancreatic system utilizing the very latest technology.
The Festival of India will start at noon on Saturday with a chariot parade from the Maryland Science Center, 601 Light Street. The festival will take place until 7 p.m. at McKeldin Square, corner of Pratt and Light streets.
For more information about the GI Associates at Sinai Hospital or to schedule an appointment call 410-601-WELL (9355).
-Sandra Crockett
The Baltimore 2010 Hare Krishna Festival of India is Saturday, one of the many fun ethnic events that are celebrated during Baltimore hot summers.
“All are invited to come partake of the great food and music,” says Dr. Neeraj Verma, an anesthesiologist at Sinai Hospital.
And while you’re there, look for the Sinai Hospital GI Associates booth where someone will be on hand to provide information that could save lives.
You can learn about gastrointestinal distress such as bloating, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation. Maybe you have trouble swallowing, are bothered by a burning sensation in the throat or stomach reflux, and want to know why. Perhaps you want to know when – and where - to get a colonoscopy. Remember, while the standard guidelines recommend getting a colonoscopy at age 50, there are some people, such as those who have a family history of colon cancer, who should start earlier.
Dr. Sudhir Dutta, Dr. John Rabine and Dr. Vinod Parashar are board-certified gastroenterologists at Sinai Hospital. They can provide complete diagnosis and treatment for disorders of the colon, stomach, esophagus, small bowel and the biliary and pancreatic system utilizing the very latest technology.
The Festival of India will start at noon on Saturday with a chariot parade from the Maryland Science Center, 601 Light Street. The festival will take place until 7 p.m. at McKeldin Square, corner of Pratt and Light streets.
For more information about the GI Associates at Sinai Hospital or to schedule an appointment call 410-601-WELL (9355).
-Sandra Crockett
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Evolution of Liver Transplantation
End-stage liver disease is best treated by a liver transplant, a renowned gastroenterologist said at yesterday's Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine Grand Rounds.
Paul Y. Kwo, M.D., is an associate professor of medicine and the medical director of liver transplantation in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Indiana University. His talk at Sinai was made possible by the Ellen Wasserman Lectureship.
The good news, according to Dr. Kwo, is that the increased use of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) gives more weight to disease severity than the patient's time on the wait list. At Indiana University, the median wait time for a liver transplant is 1.6 months versus 11.3 months nationwide, and the adult survival rate for the organ recipients is at 90.04 percent. Physicians are "inching our way" toward transplants for HIV-positive patients, and there's increasing evidence that age doesn't impact the success of a liver transplant.
Plus, transplantation in patients with severe obesity is "feasible," Dr. Kwo said. "The one-year survival rate is no different," he said.
Now for the bad news.
The demand for livers, along with other critical organs, continue to exceed what's available. Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the United States. Hepatitis C is the most common indicator for liver disease; between 3 to 4 million people are infected in the United States; and half a million people have Hepatitis C-related cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the slow degeneration of the liver, and while it's most commonly associated with alcohol, it can also result from hepatitis B, C or D or other diseases. Finally, while the death rate from liver disease has fallen overall, it is still highest in the African-American population.
What does this mean for you? Protect your liver by avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and eschewing drugs. Maintain a healthy diet and weight, and stop smoking.
Finally, remember that National Donate Life Month is around the corner. Talk to your family members about becoming an organ donor and sign up with your state registry.
Paul Y. Kwo, M.D., is an associate professor of medicine and the medical director of liver transplantation in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Indiana University. His talk at Sinai was made possible by the Ellen Wasserman Lectureship.
The good news, according to Dr. Kwo, is that the increased use of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) gives more weight to disease severity than the patient's time on the wait list. At Indiana University, the median wait time for a liver transplant is 1.6 months versus 11.3 months nationwide, and the adult survival rate for the organ recipients is at 90.04 percent. Physicians are "inching our way" toward transplants for HIV-positive patients, and there's increasing evidence that age doesn't impact the success of a liver transplant.
Plus, transplantation in patients with severe obesity is "feasible," Dr. Kwo said. "The one-year survival rate is no different," he said.
Now for the bad news.
The demand for livers, along with other critical organs, continue to exceed what's available. Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the United States. Hepatitis C is the most common indicator for liver disease; between 3 to 4 million people are infected in the United States; and half a million people have Hepatitis C-related cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the slow degeneration of the liver, and while it's most commonly associated with alcohol, it can also result from hepatitis B, C or D or other diseases. Finally, while the death rate from liver disease has fallen overall, it is still highest in the African-American population.
What does this mean for you? Protect your liver by avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and eschewing drugs. Maintain a healthy diet and weight, and stop smoking.
Finally, remember that National Donate Life Month is around the corner. Talk to your family members about becoming an organ donor and sign up with your state registry.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Colon Cancer Screenings Save Lives
by Sandra Crockett
Talking about colorectal cancer may make you wince. But discussing it with your physician is a key to good health. In fact, it may save your life.
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and a good opportunity to discuss colon cancer screenings, which are relatively painless. For African Americans, the recommended age for screening is now 45.
“For uncertain reasons, African-Americans often have more advanced cancers at the time of diagnosis, hence the modified guidelines,” says John C. Rabine, M.D. The recommended age to begin screenings for other ethnic groups remains 50.
Rabine, a gastroenterologist at Sinai Hospital, points out that colon cancer is the third most common cancer in this country.
“And – depending on which study is cited - a colonoscopy reduces that risk by 65-90 percent," he says.
Colonoscopies are powerful tools that only needs to be done every 8-10 years in patients who are considered "average-risk" for colon cancer. Cancer of the colon or rectum causes an estimated 55,000 deaths each year, according to the American Journal of Gastroenterology. More than 138,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed annually, and men and women are equally susceptible to the disease.
Sudhir K. Dutta, M.D., head of Sinai’s Division of Gastroenterology, and Rabine’s preferred method of screening for cancer is the colonoscopy. A colonoscopy allows a doctor to look inside the entire large intestine. The procedure, which enables the physician to see things such as inflamed tissue, abnormal growths (polyps) and ulcers, is most often used to look for early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum.
“It is somewhat of a misnomer to call it a screening test, as it is really intended to remove polyps and be a preventative test,” Rabine says.
All colon cancers arise from polyps, which are benign growths that can occur in several locations in the gastrointestinal tract. They vary in size and look like small bumps growing from the lining of the bowel. If identified at a very early stage, they can be removed before they become cancerous, usually while the doctor is examining the large intestine during a colonoscopy.
“Polyps are very common in adults,” says Dutta, who explains that there is an increased chance of developing them as you age. He adds that with appropriate screening like the colonoscopy, “we should be seeing fewer cases of colon cancer.”
The Endoscopy Center at Sinai Hospital is the principal site of GI diagnostic work, providing endoscopic procedures of the gastrointestinal tract including the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and colon. Using state-of-the-art equipment, medical specialists can provide a quick and accurate diagnosis of a GI problem.
To schedule an appointment or learn more, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
Talking about colorectal cancer may make you wince. But discussing it with your physician is a key to good health. In fact, it may save your life.
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and a good opportunity to discuss colon cancer screenings, which are relatively painless. For African Americans, the recommended age for screening is now 45.
“For uncertain reasons, African-Americans often have more advanced cancers at the time of diagnosis, hence the modified guidelines,” says John C. Rabine, M.D. The recommended age to begin screenings for other ethnic groups remains 50.
Rabine, a gastroenterologist at Sinai Hospital, points out that colon cancer is the third most common cancer in this country.
“And – depending on which study is cited - a colonoscopy reduces that risk by 65-90 percent," he says.
Colonoscopies are powerful tools that only needs to be done every 8-10 years in patients who are considered "average-risk" for colon cancer. Cancer of the colon or rectum causes an estimated 55,000 deaths each year, according to the American Journal of Gastroenterology. More than 138,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed annually, and men and women are equally susceptible to the disease.
Sudhir K. Dutta, M.D., head of Sinai’s Division of Gastroenterology, and Rabine’s preferred method of screening for cancer is the colonoscopy. A colonoscopy allows a doctor to look inside the entire large intestine. The procedure, which enables the physician to see things such as inflamed tissue, abnormal growths (polyps) and ulcers, is most often used to look for early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum.
“It is somewhat of a misnomer to call it a screening test, as it is really intended to remove polyps and be a preventative test,” Rabine says.
All colon cancers arise from polyps, which are benign growths that can occur in several locations in the gastrointestinal tract. They vary in size and look like small bumps growing from the lining of the bowel. If identified at a very early stage, they can be removed before they become cancerous, usually while the doctor is examining the large intestine during a colonoscopy.
“Polyps are very common in adults,” says Dutta, who explains that there is an increased chance of developing them as you age. He adds that with appropriate screening like the colonoscopy, “we should be seeing fewer cases of colon cancer.”
The Endoscopy Center at Sinai Hospital is the principal site of GI diagnostic work, providing endoscopic procedures of the gastrointestinal tract including the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and colon. Using state-of-the-art equipment, medical specialists can provide a quick and accurate diagnosis of a GI problem.
To schedule an appointment or learn more, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Ask The Expert Radio - Gastroenterology
Are you having stomach problems or intestinal distress? Have you ever wanted to talk to a physician or another health expert about it without waiting for an appointment?
On Sunday, May 17, LifeBridge Health gastroenterologists Steven Epstein, M.D. and Lila Tarmin, M.D., will be on hand to answer your questions via Ask the Expert Radio WJZ (105.7 FM).
Every week, experts from Sinai Hospital, Northwest Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, Courtland Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and LifeBridge Health & Fitness join host Rudy Miller for Ask the Expert. Rudy and her guests take calls from listeners and talk about the latest medical topics, advances, and treatments. If you want to ask the expert, call 410-481-1057 between 8 and 9 a.m. or you can e-mail your questions to asktheexpert@whfs.com. Or you can post your questions in the comment field below.
To hear previous Ask the Expert Radio shows, click here.
On Sunday, May 17, LifeBridge Health gastroenterologists Steven Epstein, M.D. and Lila Tarmin, M.D., will be on hand to answer your questions via Ask the Expert Radio WJZ (105.7 FM).
Every week, experts from Sinai Hospital, Northwest Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, Courtland Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and LifeBridge Health & Fitness join host Rudy Miller for Ask the Expert. Rudy and her guests take calls from listeners and talk about the latest medical topics, advances, and treatments. If you want to ask the expert, call 410-481-1057 between 8 and 9 a.m. or you can e-mail your questions to asktheexpert@whfs.com. Or you can post your questions in the comment field below.
To hear previous Ask the Expert Radio shows, click here.
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