Crohn’s Disease And Ulcerative Colitis. Help Is Available.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Treacherous problems and a winding path of treatment. Where can you find support at the beginning of your journey when you have just received the news of your diagnosis, is help available? After you have finished any surgical treatment with your colon and rectal surgeon (also known as a proctologist), and, if you have had an operation and have been discharged from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where can you turn for help in Los Angeles, or in any city across America?
Is help available?
YES.
First, The Problem.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are thought to be diseases of the immune system and are known as autoimmune diseases. The immune system of your body begins to attack itself, causing all of the symptoms that are common to suffers of IBD. Mucus in the stool. Blood in the stool. Diarrhea. Cramping. And many other symptoms. These symptoms may be mild or may be incredibly severe.
Your physicians can only take you so far. But, at the end of the day, you are alone. Perhaps you are alone with your family and friends, or perhaps you are alone with yourself. Either way, it can be a lonely experience. Where can you turn for empathy? For help beyond the surgical and medical treatment?
Many Avenues Of Support.
If you are lucky and blessed with a close family, your first and deepest support group is your family. Parents, siblings and even adult children can possess the most empathetic sense of caring. Once educated to your diagnosis, your family support is crucial in allowing you to deal with your diagnosis and in helping you to continue to move through life with your chin up. The same is true for your friends. If they are true friends, they are there to listen and help.
A professional listener, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker or a nutritionist are wonderful resources for you to utilize in order to deal with many of your new feelings and thoughts. The give and take of a therapeutic environment can do wonders for your self esteem and your outlook.
Support Groups.
Perhaps the best known support group for IBD is the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. There are chapters in Los Angeles, and in most major cities across the country. The groups are staffed by professionals and offer education, educational lectures, and the chance to interact with others who are at various stages of their journey. Listening and unburdening yourself are key in advancing your thought process of how you look at yourself and the disease.
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) can be found online. Once at their website, you will be able to find a chapter near you. Their efforts, combined with your own energy and drive will do wonders for you.
Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates.
The physicians of Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates have had many years of experience in diagnosing, treating and helping patients through the rough waters of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In addition to the therapy offered by the physicians, you will find them to be a valuable source of information and support.
By calling (310)273-2310, you will be able to schedule a confidential visit and begin the path to understanding IBD and dealing with all that comes with a diagnosis of IBD.
