The Venture 17 Division Of Education
Shopping Cart
Your Cart is Empty
Quantity:
Subtotal
Taxes
Shipping
Total
THE CONSERVATORY OF MEDICAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
XVII
THE SEARCHLIGHT MESSENGER
THE SEARCHLIGHT MESSENGER
Blog
Crohns Disease and Today's Athlete
| Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:52 PM |
Today’s athlete can be described by many as a man or woman of super human strength and endurance that is unstoppable as they fight to earn that medal of being the best in their field. We think of Michael Jordan and how he changed the game of basketball with his aerodynamic jumps to slam a basketball into the rim, or maybe Iron Mike Tyson, who could knock a guy out in one punch. Who could forget how Tiger Woods brought the game of golf to those who never even thought of picking up a golf club, and of course we can’t forget football and John Elway’s pass on the run that took the Denver Broncos to back to back Super Bowl Championships. These are just some examples of great athletes and their ability to perform; however there are other athletes who carry a stronger fight, Crohn’s Disease. Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition that causes inflammation, swelling, and deep sores called ulcers in the body’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract (commonly called the digestive tract). Although it can involve any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, Crohn’s disease most often affects the lower portion of the small intestine (the ileum) and the upper portion of the large intestine (the colon). Crohn’s disease is similar to another chronic inflammatory condition that affects only the colon—ulcerative colitis. These diseases are part of a larger group of illnesses called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis fluctuate between periods of remission (inactivity) and [exacerbation] (increased activity). Neither have a medical cure, but medical and alternative therapies can reduce the symptoms that people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis experience during times of exacerbation. In many cases, these therapies help people maintain a normal lifestyle with few interruptions from the diseases. Crohn’s disease affects approximately 700,000 Americans—another 700,000 have ulcerative colitis. Males and females are affected equally by Crohn’s disease, and there are a slightly higher number of males affected by ulcerative colitis. IBD has been considered a disease that primarily affects Caucasians, though it has been found in all races. For example, people of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish descent are about four to five times more likely to develop IBD. However, reported cases in African Americans have been increasing. (Hispanic and Asian populations have a lower incidence.) Inflammatory bowel diseases most commonly begin causing symptoms during adolescence and early adulthood—from the ages of 15 to 35. There is a second peak of diagnosis after age 50. Many athletes have learned to adjust their nutritional intake and have modified their workout schedules to be able to perform at full potential during times of remission. “My Crohn’s disease was a crutch because I was forced to take three years off,” Athlete Drew McFedries-UFC Fighter with Crohn’s disease said. “I did train in that time, but couldn’t really do much of anything because of my energy level. I’de get into the gym once a week or maybe three times a week, but that was about it. But when I got through the barrier of that, and getting the right medications and things, it changed my perspective on the fight game.” Drew McFedries threw 14 punches in his middleweight bout at UFC 98 against Xavier Foupa-Pokam. His second punch – a massive right hook – was the only one McFedries needed. It took all of 37 seconds for McFedries to secure the TKO over Foupa-Pokam, who threw all of zero punches, kicks, [and] knees. “I come ready to throw down,” McFedries said. McFedries is just one professional athlete who has proved that having Crohn’s disease will not bring him down. David Garrard played in just six games during his first two seasons. Then in the spring of 2004, his NFL career nearly came to an abrupt end. Garrard had been complaining of stomach pains, but figured it was just an upset stomach. When the pain persisted, he saw the team doctor. The diagnosis he received was an unexpected one. Despite this chronic illness, today’s athlete with Crohn’s disease can rise to the occasion and prove to be a true athlete without limitations. Editorial Comment From Dr. Counce: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and moreover, Crohns disease, are very difficult to treat. The true mechanism of pathology is not fully understood. Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis look and act the same grossly, causing severe debilitating diarrhea, bleeding, dehydration, sepsis, vascular disease, arthritis, myalgia, and even neurologic illness. Only microscopically, can they be distinguished. It is not uncommon for these individuals to have ten or more bowel movements a day. Both have been well documented as causing death in severe cases. Almost all Crohns patients require bowel surgery and resection at some point in their lives. The only treatments other than surgery, have been pharmacological. Many physicians use oral, and enema infused steroid treatments in their patients. A standard chronic drug therapy is the use of sulfasalazine, a salicylate sulfa based drug used to combat the inflammation. The rest of Crohns therapy relies on palliative measures. Most medical experts agree, however, that as discussed above, a healthy lifestyle and commitment to careful eating habits as well as proper exercise are the only real weapon we have at this time. About the Author: Quentin Shelton is a student in Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Kinesiology. An excellent student, and very well read, he is currently in the Associates Program in Personal Fitness at Intellitec Medical Institute in Colorado Springs. |
Categories: Medical Advise
Post a Comment
Oops!
The words you entered did not match the given text. Please try again.
555 Comments
Reply
Quentin Shelton
9:09 PM on August 13, 2011
Dr. Charles Counce says...
Well done, Q! See you at school.
Thanks Dr. Counce..your'e an awesome teacher..
Reply
Gerald
2:22 AM on January 4, 2012
I hate it when I hear comments like this "Almost all Crohns patients require bowel surgery and resection at some point in their lives". I think we have traveled down a very long road (the wrong road), suppressing symptoms with drugs, chemicals. I was diagnosed first with Ulcerative Colitis and then Crohns Disease, and the doctors told me the same insane thing about surgery. Whatever happened to "Let thy food be thy medicine"?
There is a lot of things theories being thrown around about crohns. One is crohns is caused by gluten. Well I've based my treatment on that premiss and that of lifestyle change and diet and I have had no problems with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohns for over 7 years now and I don't expect to. Our health is our own responsibility no the doctor or the scientist. I'm so very glad that these sports figures have not let this disorder sideline them. I am not a doctor or scientist, and I'm not a crohns expert, but I am an expert on my crohns. Do your own due diligence and find away to keep you colon, because once they start cutting they won't stop until you have no colon left to cut. I hope this will inspire someone to research alternatives to traditional medicine.
There is a lot of things theories being thrown around about crohns. One is crohns is caused by gluten. Well I've based my treatment on that premiss and that of lifestyle change and diet and I have had no problems with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohns for over 7 years now and I don't expect to. Our health is our own responsibility no the doctor or the scientist. I'm so very glad that these sports figures have not let this disorder sideline them. I am not a doctor or scientist, and I'm not a crohns expert, but I am an expert on my crohns. Do your own due diligence and find away to keep you colon, because once they start cutting they won't stop until you have no colon left to cut. I hope this will inspire someone to research alternatives to traditional medicine.
Reply
sierrasil
11:36 AM on February 14, 2012
Good information and its a great resource for lots of peoples , thanks for your great informative post.
Reply
Chris dePaola
3:49 AM on March 23, 2012
I've got a slightly more complicated case, crohn's, two resections, and a kidney transplant. I'm a serious athlete but need to get more serious about my diet to help boost some deficiencies in my labs. Anyone have a sports nutritionist or other source(s) that have worked with athletes that have crohn's?
Reply
Alexander Jon
8:25 AM on October 18, 2012
Very informative article at all! Your blog contains huge info about Crohn’s disease. I was unfamiliar about Crohn’s disease. Thanks for letting me know this info and keep it up.
Reply
Cheree
4:24 AM on December 31, 2012
Gerald says...
I hate it when I hear comments like this "Almost all Crohns patients require bowel surgery and resection at some point in their lives". I think we have traveled down a very long road (the wrong road), suppressing symptoms with drugs, chemicals. I was diagnosed first with Ulcerative Colitis and then Crohns Disease, and the doctors told me the same insane thing about surgery. Whatever happened to "Let thy food be thy medicine"?
There is a lot of things theories being thrown around about crohns. One is crohns is caused by gluten. Well I've based my treatment on that premiss and that of lifestyle change and diet and I have had no problems with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohns for over 7 years now and I don't expect to. Our health is our own responsibility no the doctor or the scientist. I'm so very glad that these sports figures have not let this disorder sideline them. I am not a doctor or scientist, and I'm not a crohns expert, but I am an expert on my crohns. Do your own due diligence and find away to keep you colon, because once they start cutting they won't stop until you have no colon left to cut. I hope this will inspire someone to research alternatives to traditional medicine.
There is no need to get upset about hypothetical situations. Everyone's crohns is different and frustrating as hell.
Reply
Cheree
4:36 AM on December 31, 2012
Chris dePaola says...
I've got a slightly more complicated case, crohn's, two resections, and a kidney transplant. I'm a serious athlete but need to get more serious about my diet to help boost some deficiencies in my labs. Anyone have a sports nutritionist or other source(s) that have worked with athletes that have crohn's?
Hello
I'm a personal trainer so it is important for me to be strong and able like an athlete that plays sports. For the last three yrs I haven't been able to do much of anything with getting hurt. I couldn't understand what was going on. Everything I did caused an injury. About 6 months ago I started working with Dr Cederquest in Naplpes Fl. She is an amazing nutritionist. What the do is the test you blood find your food allergies, but more important they find what food your body has a strong reactions to that can cause anything from basic sinus issue to major inflammation in your body. Inflammation is the killer when it comes to being and athletic no way your body can perform well if your riddled with it. I have been doing the program for about 6 months and I feel better than I have felt in years. She found in my blood test that my things like my magnesium,B12, vitamin D... We're all out of wack and put me on the right supplements so my body could aboard what it needed. Anyway I hope this helps, she is pretty famous in health circles and amazing at what she does. She cause work with you know matter where you live. Contact the office see if the can help you. Tell them Cheree told you about her and they will give u my client discount and get u in faster.
Reply
ZTE V889F
6:59 AM on January 16, 2013
Thank you for giving me the information provided, let me once again disintegration. Thank you, hope you the next post birth, looking forward to.......
Reply
buy china mobile phone
7:44 AM on January 30, 2013
This post was very well written, and it also contains a lot of useful facts. I enjoyed your distinguished way of writing the post. Thanks, you have made it easy for me to understand.
Reply
Dr. Counce
6:58 PM on January 30, 2013
buy china mobile phone says...
This post was very well written, and it also contains a lot of useful facts. I enjoyed your distinguished way of writing the post. Thanks, you have made it easy for me to understand.
Thank you
Reply
Hyundai Hold X700
3:35 AM on February 6, 2013
a review of its use in surgery and other indications which might be expressed by brands renowned for quality
Reply
Formacion
10:29 AM on February 17, 2013
Thanks for spotting lime light on Crohns disease and today's athlete. To remain fit these day athlete will find such information quite handy to get rid of Crohns disease.
Reply
Dr. Counce
3:51 AM on February 19, 2013
Formacion says...
Thanks for spotting lime light on Crohns disease and today's athlete. To remain fit these day athlete will find such information quite handy to get rid of Crohns disease.
Thank you.
Reply
cheaphighheels
9:51 AM on February 21, 2013
I really like this website, and I hope to see new content on this website, hoping to notify me when I'll be back.
Reply
Vacations in Bahamas
10:40 AM on March 20, 2013
Awesome post! Personally I like your site. . I am so impressed to read your content. I am looking forward for the next valuable and informative concept in your blog. Overall outstanding post. Carry on
Reply
Dr. Counce
6:06 PM on March 22, 2013
cheaphighheels says...
I really like this website, and I hope to see new content on this website, hoping to notify me when I'll be back.
Thank you.
Reply
Dr. Counce
6:07 PM on March 22, 2013
Vacations in Bahamas says...
Awesome post! Personally I like your site. . I am so impressed to read your content. I am looking forward for the next valuable and informative concept in your blog. Overall outstanding post. Carry on
Thank you very much. More coming.
Reply
Ramos X10
7:33 AM on April 24, 2013
H Good post.This is a very nice blog I wonder why the other of this sector do not notice this. am sure this post has helped me save many hours of browsing other similar posts just to find what I was looking for. Thanks!
Oops!
Oops, you forgot something.