Crohn's Disease Archives - Granite Peaks Gastroenterology of Utah

Thinking You May Have Crohn’s? Maybe Not.

Posted on December 14, 2022December 27, 2024 by fuelmarketing

Having painful digestive symptoms can be difficult to explain to a doctor and hard to pinpoint. Sometimes symptoms may flare up when you eat certain foods or experience high-stress levels or may randomly happen. Crohn’s disease is characterized by long-term digestive tract inflammation which may cause belly pain, diarrhea, bleeding, tiredness, and weight loss. The tricky thing about Crohn’s disease is that those symptoms are very similar to other digestive conditions, so much so that there are some conditions that you may mistake for Crohn’s disease. Your gastroenterologist is the right person to do appropriate tests and identify whether it’s Crohn’s or something else.

Celiac Disease

Those who have celiac disease are unable to digest gluten. Instead of being digested, gluten damages and eventually destroys the intestinal villi. Over time, this prevents nutrient absorption and causes growth and additional physical ailments. Professional diagnosis is important since those with celiac disease may experience weight loss, diarrhea, and tiredness and those with Crohn’s disease may also have trouble with gluten.

Food Intolerances or Allergies

Your digestive system normally does a good job breaking down and absorbing food. If it doesn’t work with certain foods, you may have a food intolerance. Similarly, your body’s immune system is designed to protect you against foreign invaders and dangerous substances, but it may overreact to harmless foods. When this happens, it’s called a food allergy. Both intolerances and allergies have symptoms similar to Crohn’s such as belly pain and cramps, diarrhea, and nausea.

Diverticulitis

As you age, your intestines develop small bulging pouches, primarily in the colon, called diverticula. They’re mostly harmless until they become inflamed or infected. When that happens, it’s known as diverticulitis. Symptoms include lower gut pain that lasts a few days, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, all of which are also symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease.

Don’t Self-Diagnose

All the conditions mentioned here require medical diagnosis and intervention to prevent further damage to your digestive system. See your Granite Peaks gastroenterologist to get a professional diagnosis and care plan to manage your digestive health. Correctly identifying the issue is key to getting the care you need.

For this reason, make an appointment to see a gastroenterologist sooner rather than later so you know the issue and how to address it.

Learn more about Crohn’s disease and other conditions with which the gastroenterologists at Granite Peaks Gastroenterology can help! Start here to learn about Crohn’s!

Crohn’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Posted on September 17, 2019December 27, 2024 by fuelmarketing

Although it’s not common, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 3 million Americans are currently living with some form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Different types of IBD affect different areas of the digestive system, and the body, in general. Because the symptoms of Crohn’s disease can mimic signs of other digestive conditions, it is important to see a gastroenterology specialist and have the appropriate tests to make an accurate diagnosis.

Causes & Risk Factors of Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This condition can affect any portion of the GI tract, ranging from the esophagus to the colon. Most commonly, however, it affects the small intestine, or the ileum.

The exact cause of Crohn’s is not yet known. Medical research has identified multiple factors that may increase your chances of developing this condition, the most significant of which is having a blood relative with Crohn’s. Auto-immune conditions and your environment are suspected to be additional factors in the development of Crohn’s.

As far as medical science can determine, Crohn’s does not develop due to diet or stress, although these factors can exacerbate symptoms. Smoking, taking NSAID medications (ibuprofen, aspirin), birth control pills and antibiotics do correlate with a higher incidence of this condition, although no direct evidence indicates any of these factors as a cause of Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of this disease include:

Diarrhea
Abdominal pain & cramping
Unexplained weight loss
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Fever
Joint pain
Fatigue
Mouth sores

Depending on the severity of the condition, patients may experience redness and pain in their eyes and develop tender, red bumps on their skin. In advanced cases, patients may experience blood in the stool and develop anemia and inflammation in other organs, such as the liver.

The symptoms of Crohn’s resemble those of other GI diseases including ulcerative colitis (another form of IBD), celiac disease and severe cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This fact makes it virtually impossible to self-diagnose. Consulting a gastroenterologist is the only way to determine whether you do suffer from Crohn’s or another digestive condition.

How Is Crohn’s Disease Treated?

Currently, there is no known cure for Crohn’s disease, but experienced GI specialists successfully treat Crohn’s disease using a variety of methods. This disease is unique to the individual affected by it, so not every treatment works for every patient. For some, managing Crohn’s, or any form of IBD, may require a combination of treatment protocols.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are the first line of defense in treating Crohn’s. Doctors may also prescribe antibiotics, immune suppressant drugs, anti-diarrheal medication, pain relievers and nutritional supplements.

If these therapies are unable to keep the condition under control and avoid damage to the intestines, Crohn’s patients may require surgery as the most effective treatment for their condition.

At Granite Peaks Gastroenterology, we understand how challenging it can be to deal with inflammatory bowel disease. We focus on helping patients through personalized care that includes accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment. With two convenient Utah locations – in Lehi and Sandy – we invite you to contact us for a consultation. Our board-certified gastroenterologists can help you reclaim your life through personalized treatment and management of Crohn’s disease.

Reclaiming Your Health- Treating Crohn’s Disease

Posted on October 25, 2018December 27, 2024 by Andrew Heiner

By Andrew Heiner, MD

UPDATED: 10/25/2018

“Nobody really knows what causes Crohn’s Disease; the first person to figure that out will probably win the Nobel Prize,” says Granite Peaks Gastroenterologist Andrew Heiner, MD.

Dr. Heiner, who diagnoses and treats many patients with Crohn’s each year, is incredibly hopeful that in the next several years, the mystery behind the cause of the disease will be solved. In the meantime, he points out that advancements in medication in the last decade have allowed most people with the disease to regain their health and quality of life.

Named after Dr. Burrill Crohn, who first described the disease in 1932 along with two other colleagues, this life-long disease is a specific type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Crohn’s Disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract; it most commonly affects the end of the small bowel (the ileum) and the beginning of the colon. Often it is confused with ulcerative colitis, another type of IBD that exclusively affects the large intestine (colon).

Some 700,000 Americans, men and women equally, live with Crohn’s Disease, many of whom were diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35. While the disease is usually diagnosed in people who are in their teens and early twenties, it is not uncommon to see it surface in the 50-70 year-old-age range as well. Patients most often come in complaining of abdominal pain – a result of small intestinal inflammation. Diarrhea and bloody stools are common symptoms if the inflammation is in the colon. “Some patients have inflammation in both areas and are completely miserable while others have minimal symptoms and we would never know they have Crohn’s without doing more testing,” says Dr. Heiner. He also points out that patients may have non-intestinal manifestations like fatigue, arthritis, swollen, blood shot eyes, and rashes.

“The pain can be intense and it is not an uncommon scenario for patients to be diagnosed with appendicitis and end up in surgery only to discover that they actually have Crohn’s,” adds Dr. Heiner.

While Crohn’s is a life-long disease, it can sometimes go into remission for years. “We never consider anyone to be cured. Most people will eventually end up back at the doctor’s office if they are not on treatment,” says Dr. Heiner, adding that while the environmental triggers are different for everyone, smoking is without a doubt one of the most exacerbating factors. Emotional stress, physical stress, lack of sleep, dietary changes or pregnancy may all trigger flare-ups – although some women actually improve while pregnant. “It is a very unpredictable disease and affects each person differently, making it challenging to treat, but also rewarding because each patient is unique and you get to know them well,” says Dr. Heiner, who has seen some of his patients with Crohn’s for more than 25 years.

Genetics is also a factor. Some 5 to 20 percent of affected individuals have a first-degree relative (i.e., a parent, child, sibling) with the disease. The risk is also substantially higher when both parents have IBD. While the disease is most prevalent among eastern European backgrounds, an increasing number of cases are being reported among the African-American population.

“It used to be so frustrating years ago to see how miserable these patients were and all we could offer them were steroids that came with all sorts of complications,” recalls Dr. Heiner. Now, medications have evolved and diversified, allowing for treatment using oral anti-inflammatory medications and steroids, immune-suppressants, and for more severe cases, biologics (a genetically engineered therapy made from living organisms) and biosimilars. There are even more options in the pipeline. “I’ve gone from the frustration of not being able to help certain patients with severe disease, to being able to help most patients live a normal, healthy life,” adds Dr. Heiner.

The earlier the treatment, the better for the patient. Early detection is key in treating Crohn’s; the sooner it is diagnosed the easier it is to treat and the better the patient will do long term. Surgery may be required but patients still have better outcomes when they have surgery as soon as it is needed vs waiting. Surgery is necessary when inflammation has created thickening of the intestinal wall, constricting it to a point that it doesn’t allow a passageway, which can be deadly. “Sometimes after surgery, the Crohn’s can return at the site of the surgery, so we first and foremost prefer treating patients aggressively with the appropriate medications,” says Dr. Heiner.

Dr. Heiner recalls one of his patients, a young man earning his master’s degree, who had one of the most severe cases of Crohn’s he had yet seen. The inflammation involved his stomach all the way down to his small intestine. In intense pain and having lost more than 35 lbs., the young man was beside himself, not knowing what was going on. Dr. Heiner immediately put his new patient on biologic injections and two to three weeks later, this young man was back to living a normal graduate student’s life. He was able to complete his education and is free of stomach problems. Dr. Heiner affirms, “Witnessing this kind of complete turnaround in quality of life is the most rewarding aspect about treating my patients with inflammatory bowel disease.”

To schedule an appointment at Granite Peaks Gastroenterology with one of our board-certified gastroenterologists, click here. You don’t need a physician referral and nearly all insurances are accepted. Granite Peaks can usually see patients within one week for office consultations and/or procedures, or sooner if the need is emergent.

Call (801) 619-9000 with any additional questions. Granite Peaks has offices in Sandy and Lehi and procedures are performed at our Endoscopy Center in Sandy.

Are you Lactose Intolerant?

Posted on January 25, 2018December 27, 2024 by

OVERVIEW
Lactose is the sugar found in milk and dairy products such as cheese and yogurt. After eating dairy products that contain this sugar, usually lactase, a digestive enzyme of the small intestine, helps to breakdown this complex sugar into two simple sugars, glucose and galactose. These simple sugars are then absorbed in the small intestine and ultimately reach the blood stream where they act as nutrients. The enzyme lactase is located in the lining of the small intestine known as the intestinal villi.

In addition to milk and dairy products such as ice cream, yogurt and cheese, lactose can be found in bread and baked goods, processed breakfast cereals, instant potatoes, some soups and non-kosher lunch meats, candies, dressings and mixes for pancakes and biscuits. Lactose is also the sugar found in breast milk and standard infant formulas. Therefore almost all babies are able to digest and absorb this sugar and it serves as their primary dietary sugar.

SYMPTOMS
Because lactose is not digested properly in the small intestine of individuals who are lactose intolerant, it passes whole into the large intestine or colon. Upon reaching the colon it is broken down by the normal colon bacteria. This breakdown results in the production of carbon dioxide and hydrogen gases. The gas production can lead to the following common symptoms:

• Abdominal distension and pain
• Excess burping
• Loud bowel sounds
• Excess gas and diarrhea following ingestion of lactose.
• Watery and explosive bowel movements
• Urgency with bowel movements, which means that children feel that they have to get to the bathroom immediately or they will have an accident.

The symptoms of lactose intolerance can start during childhood or adolescence and tend to get worse with age. The severity of symptoms is usually proportional to the amount of the milk sugar ingested with more symptoms following a meal with higher milk sugar content.

Although eating lactose-containing products will result in discomfort for someone who is lactose intolerant, they are not at risk of developing more serious intestinal disease because of long-term lactose malabsorption. The only exception to this would be for babies who are born with primary lactase deficiency or children with secondary lactase deficiency as discussed below.

CAUSES
Primary Lactase Deficiency: This condition is very rare and occurs when babies are born with a deficiency or absence of the enzyme lactase. Babies inherit this condition by getting one gene that causes this problem from each of their parents, even though both parents may be lactose tolerant. These babies require a specialized formula with another type of sugar such as sucrose (present in table sugar), which they are able to digest.

Secondary Lactase Deficiency: The most common cause of temporary lactose intolerance in infants and young children is infection that affects the gastrointestinal tract and can damage the lining of the small intestine.

Rotavirus and Giardia are two common organisms that cause damage to the surface of the small intestine resulting in temporary lactose intolerance. Older infants and young children will commonly be infected by a rotavirus. The symptoms of rotavirus infection symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea (frequent, watery stools), and fever. Giardia is a parasite that is found in well water and fresh water from lakes and streams. Treatment of giardia infection with antibiotics will resolve the lactose intolerance.

Secondary lactase deficiency can also be due to Celiac disease, which is intolerance to gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye, barley and other grains. Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory condition that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, can lead to secondary lactase deficiency as well. Once each of these conditions is treated, the lactase deficiency will resolve. The lactose intolerance usually resolves within three to four weeks when the lining of the intestines returns to normal.

Acquired Lactase Deficiency: Many individuals acquire lactose intolerance as they get older. It is estimated that approximately one-half of adults in the United States have acquired lactase deficiency. This condition is due to a normal decline in the amount of the enzyme lactase present in the small intestine as we age. Although lactose is an important part of the diet in infants and young children it represents only 10% of the carbohydrate (sugar) intake in adults. However, individuals who are lactose intolerant may not be able to tolerate even small amounts of this sugar in their diet.

Lactose intolerance occurs more frequently in certain families. One of the most important factors affecting the rate of developing lactose intolerance is an individual’s ethnic background. Approximately 15% of adult Caucasians, and 85% of adult African Americans in the United States are lactose intolerant. The rate of lactose intolerance is also very high in individuals of Asian descent, Hispanic descent, Native Americans and Jewish individuals.

DIAGNOSIS
Lactose intolerance is diagnosed by a simple test called a hydrogen breath test. After an overnight fast before the test, an individual breathes into a bag and then drinks a specified amount of the milk sugar in the form of a syrup. In adults this corresponds to the amount of milk sugar in a quart of milk. Subsequent breath samples are taken for up to three hours. The breath that they exhale into the bag is analyzed to determine its hydrogen content. During the course of the test individuals who are lactose intolerant will have an increase in the amount of hydrogen that they exhale. If the values for hydrogen increase above a certain value, the diagnosis of lactose intolerance is made. Patients who are lactose intolerant may also develop their typical symptoms during the test.

In younger children or in children who cannot tolerate the breath test, removal of lactose from the diet and possible supplementation with lactase can be done for 2-4 weeks to see if this improves the symptoms.

Treatment
The best treatment of lactose intolerance is a combination of dietary modification and taking a supplement to aid in digestion of lactose. Individuals who are lactose intolerant should meet with a dietician to review the sources of lactose in their diet. Some reduction in the daily lactose consumption is usually required. When an individual is going to be eating a food that contains lactose they should take a commercially available non-prescription lactase supplement at the time of lactose ingestion. This type of supplement can be taken throughout the day whenever lactose is ingested. Some individuals will be less lactose intolerant and therefore will be able to tolerate comparatively larger amounts of lactose. Alternatives to milk for lactose intolerant individuals include products such as soy milk. If an individual is restricting their milk/ dairy intake it is important to ensure adequate supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D in the diet. This is especially important for pediatric patients and women.

Recommended daily calcium intakes:
1-3 years of age: 500 mg
4-8 years of age: 800 mg
9-24 years of age: 1300 mg
Age 25 and above: 800-1000 mg
Pregnant and nursing women: 1200 mg

Author(s) and Publication Date(s)

Marsha H. Kay, MD, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, and Anthony F. Porto, MD, MPH, Yale University/Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, CT – Updated December 2012.

Marsha H. Kay, MD, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, and Vasundhara Tolia, MD, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI – Published September 2004.

Preventive Care In Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Posted on December 13, 2016December 27, 2024 by fuelmarketing

You trust your gastroenterologist to help you make the right decisions regarding medical therapy of your ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. But is everything being done to prevent other diseases associated with your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? Despite published guidelines, vaccination and preventive screening rates are unacceptably low among patients with IBD. The following is a list of preventive strategies you should discuss with your gastroenterologist in order to maximize your health care:

Colonoscopy – IBD increases one’s risk of colon cancer by 4 fold. It is recommended that patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease involving the colon undergo a colonoscopy with surveillance biopsies every 1-3 years starting 8 years after the initial diagnosis.

Vaccinations – This is important for all patients with IBD, but especially those that are immunosuppressed (those taking medications such as prednisone, Imuran, 6-MP, Remicade, or Humira):

– Influenza: Every patient with IBD should receive a yearly flu shot (intramuscular, inactivated vaccine)
– Pneumococcus: Every immunosuppressed patient with IBD should have a pneumococcal vaccine, with a booster in 5 years
– Hepatitis B: All children should receive a hepatitis B vaccination series, but this is especially important for IBD patients who are immunosuppressed.
– HPV: This should be given to all males and females up to 26 years of age.
– Tdap: This should be given to all patients every 10 years.
– Meningococcus: This vaccine should be given to immunosuppressed patients with IBD every 5 years.
– The following LIVE vaccines should be administered BEFORE a patient is started on an immunosuppressant, and NEVER when they are already on an immunosuppressant: intranasal influenza, varicella, zoster, MMR, rotavirus, oral polio.

Skin exam – There is an increased risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer in immunosuppressed patients with IBD. Imuran and 6-MP may increase the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer, while biologic therapy (Remicade, Humira) may increase the risk of melanoma. Every immunosuppressed patient with IBD should undergo a yearly skin exam by a dermatologist, and they should be counseled to wear sunscreen and avoid excess sun exposure.

PAP smear – Immunosuppressed women with IBD have an increased prevalence of abnormal PAP smears and cervical cancer. Therefore all of these patients should undergo a yearly PAP smear.

Bone density scan – Osteoporosis is found in 15% of patients with IBD, and their fracture risk is increased by 40%. Chronic steroid use is a major risk factor for osteoporosis as well. Postmenopausal women, older men, and patients on long-term steroids should undergo a DEXA scan. An argument can also be made for having all patients with IBD undergo a DEXA scan for a baseline measurement.

Eye exam – Patients with IBD are at increased risk of developing episcleritis which causes burning and itching of the eye, and uveitis which may lead to eye pain, blurred vision, and headaches. Steroids may increase the risk of glaucoma and cataracts. All patients with IBD should undergo an eye exam every 1-2 years.

Smoking cessation – Smoking worsens Crohn’s disease. It is linked to a more complicated course of Crohn’s disease and an increased requirement for steroids, immunosuppressants, and surgery. All patients with Crohn’s disease should be advised to stop smoking.

Avoidance of NSAIDs – The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen may increase flares of IBD and should be minimized.

Blood work – Patients with IBD are at increased risk for anemia and liver conditions such as primary sclerosing cholangitis. Patients should have labs drawn for a CBC and CMP yearly. Consideration should also be given to checking yearly labs for vitamin D levels and for vitamin B12 levels in patient with Crohn’s disease of the terminal ileum. Patients receiving Imuran or 6-MP should have labs drawn more frequently.

Exercise – All patients with IBD should exercise regularly and try to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Consideration should also be given to a daily multivitamin, 1000-1500 mg of calcium daily, and 600-800 IU of vitamin D daily.

Please contact your provider at Granite Peaks Gastroenterology if you have any questions.

Cooking with Crohn’s

Posted on August 18, 2016December 27, 2024 by fuelmarketing

If you’re living with Crohn’s Disease, you know just how frustrating it can be to find a meal that is flavorful and can help you avoid a flare up. This can prove to be a very difficult task, considering those with Crohn’s Disease often need to avoid foods that are spicy or fatty, as well as most dairy and high-fiber foods. However, this does not mean that you are limited to a flavorless, bland diet. Here at Granite Peaks Gastroenterology, we care about your health and happiness, and we wanted to provide you with a variety of smaller meals that will not wreak havoc on your digestive system or Crohn’s Disease.

Tomato and Basil Finger Sandwiches

Ingredients:

4 slices bread
8 teaspoons mayonnaise, reduced-fat, divided
4 slices tomatoes, thickly sliced
4 teaspoons basil, fresh, sliced
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper, black ground

Preparation:

Cut bread into rounds just larger than your tomato
Spread each slice with 2 teaspoons mayonnaise
Top with tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper

Makes 4 servings

Total time: 10 minutes

Nutritional Info (Per Serving): Calories: 75, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 345mg, Dietary Fiber: 2g, Total Fat: 2g, Carbs: 12g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Protein: 2g

Source: EatingWell.com

Oven-Poached Salmon Fillets

Ingredients:

1 pound fish, salmon fillet, cut into 4 portions, skin removed if desired
2 tablespoons wine, dry white
¼ teaspoon salt
pepper, black ground, to taste
2 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped (1 medium)
lemon wedges, for garnish

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425°. Coat a 9-inch glass pie pan or an 8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
Place salmon, skin-side (or skinned-side) down, in the prepared pan. Sprinkle with wine.
Season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with shallots. Cover with foil and bake until opaque in the center and starting to flake, 15 to 25 minutes, depending on thickness.
When the salmon is ready, transfer to dinner plates. Spoon any liquid remaining in the pan over the salmon and serve with lemon wedges.

Makes 4 servings.

Total time: 35 minutes

Nutritional Info (Per Serving): Calories: 216, Saturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 213mg, Dietary Fiber: 0g, Total Fat: 12g, Carbs, 1g, Cholesterol: 67mg, Protein: 23g

Source: EatingWell.com

Apple Cake with Hot Coconut-Brown Sugar

Ingredients:

¾ cup sugar, granulated
½ cup yogurt nonfat, vanilla
¼ cup cooking oil
1 egg
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon ginger, ground
¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ground
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 pound Granny Smith apples, cored and coarsely chopped
1 cup coconut, flaked
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar (packed)
2 tablespoons milk, fat-free

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 325°. Line two 8x4x2 inch loaf pans with foil; coat foil with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl, stir together granulated sugar, yogurt, oil, egg, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, vanilla, baking powder, salt, baking soda, ginger, and nutmeg. Stir in flour until combined. Fold in apples (batter will be thick and chunky.)
Spoon batter into prepared pans; spread evenly. Bake about 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and tops are browned.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine coconut, butter, brown sugar, milk, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon Cook and stir over low heat until the butter is melted. Preheat broiler after removing cakes from oven. Gently spread coconut mixture evenly over tops of cakes. Broil 4 inches from heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until topping is bubbly and lightly browned.
Cool cakes in pans on wire racks for 45 minutes. Use foil to lift cakes from pans; remove foil. Serve warm.

Makes 16 servings

Total time: 1 hour 8 minutes

Nutritional Info (Per Serving): Calories: 186, Saturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 113mg, Dietary Fiber: 1g, Total Fat: 9g, Carbs: 26g, Cholesterol: 19mg, Protein 2g

Source: Diabetic Living

So, living with and cooking with Crohn’s Disease just got easier with these recipes. Let us know how these worked out for your Crohn’s Disease.

Happy eating!

When You Need a Restroom FAST!

Posted on October 14, 2013March 16, 2017 by fuelmarketing

Ally Bain is in her twenties now, but when she was 14, a humiliating experience prompted her mom to push for passing Ally’s Law in Illinois- also known as The Restroom Access Act. While shopping at a popular clothing store, Ally, who had been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, needed to suddenly use the restroom. This chronic illness affects the digestive system and when it flares up, a restroom is needed within minutes. Despite explaining the medical conditions, Ally was denied access to the employee’s restroom and suffered an embarrassing accident.

Since then, at least 14 states have passed versions of Ally’s Law. The law requires retail establishments that have employee restrooms to allow customers to use the facilities if they suffer from an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or other medical conditions (some include pregnancy) requiring immediate access to a toilet.

Generally, customers can present a document signed by a medical provider attesting to their need for immediate access to a restroom. Another option is securing a card through the Foundation for Clinical Research in IBD. This Medical Alert Restroom Access Pass helps those affected by Crohn’s and colitis around the nation. The card is available on the organization’s site at http://www.mountsinai.org/ibd-center, and reads:

“The holder of this card has Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Colitis is painful and requires immediate access to a toilet facility. This patient cannot physically ‘hold it’. Please make your restroom available.”

While Utah has not yet passed such a law, this card may be persuasive if you find yourself in a situation without much time to explain. If you’re interested in pursuing Ally’s Law, speak with your local representative; you can find them by visiting this site:
http://www.utah.gov/government/countymap.html

If you or someone you know may have IBD, call (801) 619-9000 or visit this link to schedule an appointment. Granite Peaks Gastroenterology physicians are welcoming new patients, and are able to see patients within one week. Also, you don’t need a physician referral to be seen!