Latest news with #Crohn'sDisease
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Wrexham woman wins Coleg Cambria Learner of the Year award
Emily Satterthwaite, who works as a carer at Pendine Park's Penybryn care home, was named Learner of the Year at the Coleg Cambria Student Awards 2025. She was selected by a judging panel for the Delivery Partner Learner of the Year accolade, recognising her work. The 34-year-old has been at the care home for six years and has managed to excel in her Level 3 qualification course despite experiencing years of ill health and the death of her father, Keith Richard Bunn, two years ago. As well as battling Crohn's disease herself, she has supported her mum and partner through cancer diagnoses. Ms Satterthwaite, of Coedpoeth, said she 'could not be more delighted' and sees it as a tribute to her late father, her loving family, and herself. She said: "He was a real fighter and believed in carrying on as best you can whatever the odds. "He instilled in me a phenomenal work ethic which I will always be grateful for." Ms Satterthwaite regularly leads the night shift and has achieved a Health and Social Care Level 2 qualification, as well as continuing her care sector training with the care organisation. Her mentor and Pendine Park tutor, Jenna Evans, nominated Ms Satterthwaite for the award, saying she has shown 'indomitable levels of courage' in achieving all she has done in recent years. She said: "Emily's journey is a testament to her resilience, dedication, and commitment to health and social care. "It is remarkable and truly admirable that, despite being diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, Emily still chose to work in care. "She has shown such commitment given all the ongoing hardships she and her family have faced." Ms Satterthwaite's ultimate goal is to become a nurse, a job she hopes to pursue after achieving her Level 3 qualification. She said: "It's been my ambition ever since I was a child. "Gaining my nursing qualification would be a dream come true for me. "I would love to work as a palliative nurse in a care home." Ms Satterthwaite's mum, Diane Marie Bunn, who is also a carer at Penybryn, said she is 'enormously proud' of her daughter and 'constantly amazed' at her inner strength. She said: "Emily has been through so much since her teenage years but she has always fought so hard to achieve her ambitions, I could not be more proud of her. "She is an inspiration to me and to others. "It's wonderful to see how much she has progressed, and I'm so pleased for her attaining the Learner of the Year award, she thoroughly deserves it." READ MORE: 'It's so rewarding' – Wrexham volunteer reflects on vital ambulance role Penybryn manager Tracey Cuthill also praised Ms Satterthwaite, saying: "We're all incredibly proud of what Emily has achieved. "Her commitment to learning is truly heroic given everything she has had to overcome to achieve such remarkable success. "She is a credit to herself, a credit to her family, and a credit to Pendine and a role model for all who aspire to be the best they can be."
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
'I've had Crohn's for 40 years - I never know when it will strike'
At one point, Joanna was stuck in bed in Madagascar with a makeshift IV A mum diagnosed with a condition she had never heard of has refused to let it stop her. Joanna O'Donoghue has travelled to 70 countries, exploring some of the world's most remote landscapes and brutal challenges. It's a big feat in itself - made even more impressive because she battles the chronic inflammatory bowel condition Crohn's Disease which can affect her at any moment. The former teacher admitted she's had 'many' scary moments and her adventure across the world hasn't always been easy. She's occasionally had to go to bed hungry when her dietary restrictions are misunderstood but one instance in Madagascar was far more extreme. Joanna, who raises funds for charities like ForCrohns on her travels, told the Mirror: 'I became very ill with Crohn's and we were miles from anywhere with no hospital. A doctor was called who took a while to get to where I was but he brought a bag full of medication and erected a drip by using a coat hanger at the top of the bed. This did mean that I was stuck to the bed.' This and other stories are documented in her new book Gutsy Travels, which she hopes will inspire people and spread awareness of the chronic inflammatory bowel disease. She said: 'In recent years I decided to travel the world despite cautionary tales. I have visited Australia, South-East Asia, North, Central and South America and South Africa, to name but a few. 'I have been in the jungle, the rain forest, up mountains and on remote islands. I have been zip wiring, white water rafting and hang gliding. My fingers are always firmly crossed because if I am not near a hospital I could be in serious trouble, not to mention severe pain. People often ask me how I do it and aren't I just a little bit scared? Of course I am but that doesn't stop me.' One of her top tips for fellow Crohn's travellers is having a doctor's letter translated into the local language of the country you are visiting that can explain your condition, requirements and what to do if you need to be hospitalised. Medications, toilet rolls and hand sanitiser are also must-haves in her travel bags. She added: 'People don't always 'get it', particularly the immediacy of the situation when you need the loo, but they are usually sympathetic and helpful. I am also not afraid to share information with fellow travellers so that they are aware if I have to stop a bus to go to the toilet behind a bush!' While the book is due to be published on May 28, Joanna's travels haven't stopped yet as she's still keen on journeying through India, Japan and New Zealand. Looking back on her journey so far, there's one area that she highly recommends. She said: 'The Galapagos Islands were special as there are animals and birds here that you can see nowhere else on earth. Each country has a different memory and has been special in some way.' In 1983, Joanna was a full-time teacher in her 20s living in a mobile home as a single parent to her two-year-old daughter when she started becoming ill. After countless appointments and failing treatments, she collapsed in a doctor's office and was taken for emergency surgery. When she woke up, she was told she had Crohn's Disease. 'I had never heard of it," she sadi. There didn't seem to be much awareness generally and I always had to explain to people what it was.' She went in for major surgery and later returned to the operating room to get an ileostomy, a surgical opening made in the abdomen that leaves the last part of the small intestine exposed to allow waste to pass through into an ileostomy bag, which was ultimately avoided thanks to a skilful surgeon. More than 40 years later, Joanna has roughly learned what will trigger a flare up of her condition. But she admits it can still sometimes appear out of nowhere and leave her needing morphine in hospital to deal with the pain. She explained: 'Imagine your worst bout of food poisoning: gripping pains in your stomach; no control over your bowels; nausea accompanying this; that shaky feeling and then dehydration. 'Imagine that happening to you over and over again: when you're out and about; in the car on a motorway; driving through a city with nowhere to stop; trying on clothes in a changing room; on a long walk; on a first date; on a bus; on a small boat with no toilet; riding a horse on your own; on an aeroplane with a long queue for the toilet or delivering training to two hundred people at a conference where you are the main speaker. All of these have happened to me and more.' Joanna developed the travel bug years before her diagnosis. During her childhood, her Midlands-based family never went much further than Devon and she got on her first flight in her second year of teacher training. She spent six months as part of an exchange programme at Eastern Michigan University in the US and her adventures across North America sparked a love of travel and adventure. She has also managed to pair her love of travelling with her desire to spread awareness and hope for Crohn's Disease patients. Joanna has trekked across the mountains of Albania, Transylvania and even up Machu Picchu as a fundraising effort for ForCrohns. She added: 'I have lived with Crohn's for over forty years and in many ways, it has defined me, specifically in terms of the way I look at life. I wish I didn't have it but there are many things worse than this.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden supported over 'exciting' announcement linked to 'invisible illness'
Amy Dowden has been flooded with messages of praise and support as she made an announcement linked to suffering from an 'invisible illness'. The Strictly Come Dancing star has been living with Crohn's Disease since she was a teenager, and earlier this year, she was formally made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her work as a Crohn's & Colitis UK ambassador. Now, Amy teamed up with Crohn's & Colitis UK to launch a range of merchandise raising awareness of Inflammatory Bowel Disease which affects more than half a million people in the UK. READ MORE: The 20 countries that gave UK nul points in Eurovision 2025 - full list READ MORE: Britain's Got Talent's Alesha Dixon causes 'upset' over golden buzzer decision The Amy Dowden X Crohn's & Colitis UK: It Takes Courage range of t-shirts and tote bags is on sale from today, May 19th, which is World IBD Day. Amy's design features one of her favourite flowers, the sweet pea, surrounded by purple hearts, which are symbols of the Crohn's and Colitis community worldwide. Every item will be printed to order by Everpress Ltd and a minimum of 20% of the sales (excluding VAT) during the campaign will be donated to Crohn's & Colitis UK. "Raising awareness is vital and it takes real courage to live with Crohn's or Colitis every day, so I wanted to celebrate that with this design," Amy said in a statement. "I'm so proud to be an ambassador for Crohn's & Colitis UK. I'd say to anyone else with Inflammatory Bowel Disease that you might feel overwhelmed sometimes, but you're not alone. There's so much strength in the Crohn's & Colitis UK community and it's such an amazing charity." She also shared a message in a post shared by Crohn's & Colitis UK as she modelled the T-shirt range on Monday (May 19): "As it's World IBD Day, there's no better time to share some exciting news. "I'm so proud to have been invited to collaborate with @crohnsandcolitisUK to design their mfirst ever merchandise drop! This artwork means a lot to me, as I know all to well that it takes courage to live with IBD."I want to help Crohn's & Colitis UK spread the message, and now you can too! Our collaboration pieces are now live and available for pre-order. A minimum of 20% of the sales (excluding VAT) of the campaign will be donated by Everpress Limited to Crohn's & Colitis UK."Order your own by going to the link in the @crohnsandcolitisuk bio, under 'World IBD day' click 'Amy Dowden x Crohn's & Colitis UK' or visit I hope you love it as much as I do!" And the messages of support came flooding in. @angelinaballerina1607 said: "So proud of you, can't wait to get my hands on some." @ commented: "Brilliant partnership @crohnsandcolitisuk Well done Looks fab and wearable while raising positive awareness @ wrote: "Oh I love it." @countrylifewith__jo replied: "Beautiful @amy_dowden and fab attire." @amysdowdenn added: "Love these so cute." The Amy Dowden X Crohn's & Colitis UK: It Takes Courage range is available to buy online at and via the Crohn's & Colitis UK website
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Former Connecticut Children's Hospital patient hopes to be a nurse there
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A group of nurses at Connecticut Children's Hospital inspired one of their patients. Kaitlyn Hildebrand was hospitalized at 14-years-old, but has gone on to nursing school. On Friday, during National Nurses Week, she graduated from the University of Saint Joseph as part of a special ceremony and is moving on to help other people in the profession. Daughter says mom 'gave me life twice' with kidney donation as pair graduate nursing school together When Hildebrand was 14-years-old, she was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. She spent the majority years of her high school in college years going for treatments at hospitals. She was inspired by the nurses that took care of her, so much so that she is now becoming a nurse and hopes to inspire others. 'All of the nurses at CCC pushed me more into it, I thought about nursing prior to being hospitalized,' Hildebrand said. 'But the care that I was given there, and how much ease they put me at, really pushed me in this direction and I knew freshman year that I wanted to do this.' Hildebrand said she hopes to go back to Connecticut Children's Hospital and work in the exact same ward in which she was treated. She wants to work side-by-side with some of those nurses who gave her all that great care. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
08-05-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
What Is Proctitis? How to Recognize, Treat, and Prevent It
Proctitis may be a small word but it's a big discomfort for those who have it. At its core, proctitis is inflammation of the rectum—the last part of the digestive tract, right before the anus. It's more common than you think and can be caused by infections, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or even radiation therapy. It's usually diagnosed via endoscopy which gives doctors a direct view of the inflamed tissue [1] [2]. Let's dive deeper into what proctitis is, why it happens, how it shows up in the body and—most importantly—how it can be treated. Proctitis symptoms are rarely subtle. People usually notice something is off pretty quickly and for good reason. Common symptoms include: Symptoms can range from mild to severe pain and depends on the type of proctitis and its cause. Other symptoms such as fever, tiredness, nausea, joint pain, skin rashes and weight loss may also occur and should be acknowledged in the overall management of the condition. This is different from other related diseases such as Crohn's Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Proctitis isn't a one size fits all condition. There are several types and each has its own cause and treatment. Eosinophilic proctitis is a type of proctitis that affects children under 2 years old. It's associated with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders where the immune system produces an excessive number of eosinophils [3]. This leads to chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract often triggered by food allergies. This is a localized form of ulcerative colitis—an inflammatory bowel disease. It's inflammation that's limited to the rectum. Symptoms are often similar to other types of colitis but less extensive indicating a milder form of the disease. This is on the rise especially in high risk groups such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and individuals with HIV. It's often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as: This includes several long term inflammatory conditions and chronic conditions with chronic inflammation: Though rare, ischemic proctitis occurs when blood flow to the rectum is restricted. Diagnosing this can be tricky because the rectum has a strong blood supply and can mask signs of reduced circulation [12]. Proctitis can occur for many reasons often falling into one or more of the following categories: Understanding the underlying cause is important—it guides the treatment. Causes of proctitis include infections, inflammatory bowel disease, sexual transmission and specific physiological changes related to surgical procedures. Several risk factors can increase a person's chance of getting proctitis. These include high risk sexual practices, history of STIs, radiation therapy to the pelvic area, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), weakened immune system, history of digestive diseases and family history of IBD [5]. Be aware of these risk factors and take steps to prevent proctitis by practicing safe sex and a healthy lifestyle. Diagnosis involves more than a symptom checklist. Doctors use a multi-step approach: If a doctor suspects proctitis they may order tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the underlying cause. This comprehensive approach ensures the best treatment plan is chosen. [9] Because proctitis symptoms can mimic other gastrointestinal conditions, getting the right diagnosis is key to choosing the right treatment [7]. Living with proctitis can be tough but there are ways to manage the condition and relieve symptoms. Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated and avoiding foods that irritate the digestive tract can help reduce symptoms. Practicing good hygiene, avoiding anal intercourse and using protection during sex can help prevent STIs and proctitis [7]. Working with a healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan that addresses the underlying cause of the inflammation and symptoms is key []. With treatment and lifestyle changes proctitis can be managed and prevented. Regular follow up with a healthcare provider can help monitor the condition and adjust the treatment plan as needed. By taking an active role in managing proctitis individuals can reduce symptoms, improve quality of life and prevent long term complications [6]. Proctitis may be confined to a small part of the body but it can have a big impact on daily life. Proctitis is inflammation of the rectal lining which can cause severe pain, constant urge to have a bowel movement and other symptoms. Whether it's related to inflammatory bowel disease, infection or prior radiation, recognizing the signs early and getting the right diagnosis is important. Rectal inflammation can affect the lining of the rectum and can extend to other parts of the large intestine and affect the whole digestive system. With rising rates of infectious proctitis in certain populations, timely intervention and education is more important than ever. Managing flare ups and addressing symptoms like weight loss is key to overall health. Once the underlying cause is clear proctitis can often be managed effectively – restoring comfort and preventing complications down the line. [1] Rizza, S., Mistrangelo, M., Ribaldone, D. G., Morino, M., Astegiano, M., Saracco, G. M., & Pellicano, R. (2020). Proctitis: a glance beyond inflammatory bowel diseases. Minerva gastroenterologica e dietologica, 66(3), 252–266. [2] Regueiro M. D. (2004). Diagnosis and treatment of ulcerative proctitis. Journal of clinical gastroenterology, 38(9), 733–740. [3] Coelho, R., Ribeiro, T., Abreu, N., Gonçalves, R., & Macedo, G. (2023). Infectious proctitis: what every gastroenterologist needs to know. Annals of gastroenterology, 36(3), 275–286. [4] McNeil, C. J., Barroso, L. F., 2nd, & Workowski, K. (2024). Proctitis: An Approach to the Symptomatic Patient. The Medical clinics of North America, 108(2), 339–354. [5] Høie, S., Knudsen, L. S., & Gerstoft, J. (2011). Lymphogranuloma venereum proctitis: a differential diagnose to inflammatory bowel disease. Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology, 46(4), 503–510. [6] Tytgat, G. N., Fockens, P., Schotborgh, R. H., & Hofer, S. O. (1990). Proctitis. The Netherlands journal of medicine, 37 Suppl 1, S37–S42. [7] Santos, A. L., Coelho, R., Silva, M., Rios, E., & Macedo, G. (2019). Infectious proctitis: a necessary differential diagnosis in ulcerative colitis. International journal of colorectal disease, 34(2), 359–362. [8] Wu, X. R., Liu, X. L., Katz, S., & Shen, B. (2015). Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of ulcerative proctitis, chronic radiation proctopathy, and diversion proctitis. Inflammatory bowel diseases, 21(3), 703–715. [9] Kent, A., & Keshav, S. (2014). Managing intractable proctitis and the problematic pouch. Digestive diseases (Basel, Switzerland), 32(4), 427–437. [10] Strobel, T. M., Desai, N. A., & Arrington-Sanders, R. (2023). Acute Infectious Proctitis in Adolescents. Pediatrics in review, 44(9), 491–497. [11] Whitlow C. B. (2004). Ulcerative proctitis. Clinics in colon and rectal surgery, 17(1), 21–27. [12] Sharif, S., & Hyser, M. (2006). Ischemic proctitis: case series and literature review. The American surgeon, 72(12), 1241–1247.
