Dr Ahmad Al-Fadhli

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health of Kuwait held a press conference to announce an awareness campaign for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) entitled 'Return to your life, live without restrictions' yesterday at its premises in Sulaibikhat. The event was held under the auspices of Minister of Health Dr Basel Al-Sabah, and was sponsored by AbbVie Pharmaceuticals

Dr Ahmad Al-Fadhli, consultant of gastrointestinal system and liver and head of digestive unit in Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, said that there has been an obvious increase in inflammatory bowel disease patients in the last 15 years. "It is time to pay attention towards this disease and spread awareness as it affects people between the ages of 15 to 35 years," he added.

Fadhli added that the campaign aims to focus on spreading awareness among people about the disease, develop medical treatments and get local, regional, and international experts to speak about it in conferences that will be soon held in Kuwait. Dr Fahad Al-Ibrahim, gastrointestinal system and liver consultant at Amiri Hospital, pointed out that the most common symptoms of the disease are diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, weight loss, fatigue, blood in stool, pale appearance, fever, joint problems and skin problems.

Inflammatory bowel disease can be sub-divided into two types: Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Although the exact causes of Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis are not really known, certain contributory factors have been identified. Genetic factors, abnormal responses of the digestive system to non-pathogenic of harmless germs, smoking, diet and oral contraceptives are often considered as risk factors but not proven to be so in the development of inflammatory diseases, and stress.

The conditions and causes of which are currently poorly understood, progress by episodes of sudden attacks and settle of the disease. The symptoms are primarily gastro-intestinal, with abdominal pain and diarrhea. They can have serious health consequences such as significant weight loss under nutrition and growth retardation in children. IBD often has an impact on daily, family and professional life due to its severe and chronic nature. Treatment and medical monitoring is very essential for IBD patients.

By Faten Omar