Abbott hosts Crohn's Disease Awareness Day in Abu Dhabi

Several different topics were discussed with consultant gastroenterologists in the UAE, including Dr. Nijel Beejay, Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist - SKMC Hospital and Dr. Mazen Taha, Consultant Gastroenterologist - Tawam Hospital, lecturing on Understanding and Diagnosing Crohn's disease; Dr. Salem Awadh, Consultant Gastroenterologist -Burjeel Hospital explaining the management of IBD; and Dr. Huda Katta, Consultant Gastroenterologist - American European Center discussing how to deal with pregnancy in IBD.

"One of our main goals is to raise the standards of care to improve patients' lives by educating patients about their disease (Crohn's disease) and support the patients through ensuring they have access to expert gastroenterologists. With the support from well-known gastroenterologists in the UAE, the patients had the opportunity to address the experts and understand more on managing their symptoms appropriately," said Amjad Laimoun, General Manager of Proprietary Pharmaceutical Division UAE.

Crohn's disease is a serious chronic, inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that affects millions of people worldwide. Crohn's disease is most commonly present in early adolescence or late adulthood (around 20 or 40 years of age). Common symptoms of the disease include diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, and in some cases, rectal bleeding.

"The number of IBD patients is increasing, affecting both the young and the old. In the past we used to have one patient a year and now sometimes I see seven patients in one day. There is a huge shift," said Dr. Makki Fayadh, Consultant Physician Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at the Advanced Center for Day Care Surgery.

The main cause of IBD is still unknown, however genetic and environmental factors are involved and this can affect men and women equally. It is important to note that Crohn's disease can be controlled and symptoms can remit for pro-longed periods of time if detected and managed at its early stages.

"In order for patients to live a normal life, patients need to stick to their medications and they need to educate themselves about the disease, and have a good rapport with their doctors. Patients should have direct access to their doctors," said Dr. Huda Kattaa, Consultant Gastroenterologist at the American European Medical Center.

It is recommended that patients seek help and treatment from gastroenterologists who can recommend the appropriate treatment accordingly.