Open day to help those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A special event to help people living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is being held at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle next month.

The open day, on Saturday 5 March, entitled Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, will feature talks by members of staff from North Cumbria University Hospitals, patients and volunteers.

IBD is an umbrella term for gut conditions – particularly ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease – that affect as many as 250,000 Britons, with numbers rising each year.  Ulcerative Colitis affects the lower bowel but Crohn's disease can develop anywhere along the digestive tract, causing inflammation, deep ulcers and scarring and, eventually, permanent damage.

Other symptoms include fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition, due to poor food absorption. Often diagnosed in late teens and early twenties, both are life-long conditions.

Next month’s event has been organised by the Cumberland Infirmary’s IBD patient panel and is supported by the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK. The charity’s Vice-President, Elaine Steven, will give the welcome address.

Organiser Peter Canham is the Patient Involvement Adviser for Crohn’s & Colitis UK. He said: “The majority of sufferers will face surgery at some point in their lives. However, there have been major advances in both medication and surgery which can help alleviate some of the symptoms and this event is an opportunity for sufferers to learn more.”

Talks by Trust staff will include Dr Chris Macdonald, Consultant Gastroenterologist, on new treatments in IBD; IBD Nurse Practitioner Vikki Edge on your local IBD service; and Dietitian Lisa Cushion on IBD and diet.

There will also be a session on surgery and IBD, and a patient will talk about her experiences of living with IBD.

Peter Canham added: “We would love to see as many people with Crohn’s or Colitis, and their families, as possible at this free event, particularly those who use the IBD service provided by the hospital.  There will be a wealth of information available on a wide range of topics relevant to their illness.

“The event will be of particular interest not only to families, friends and sufferers of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis but also interested nursing staff.”

The event is from 10.45am to 4pm at the Cumberland Infirmary’s Education Centre in Infirmary Street. A sandwich lunch and tea and coffee will be provided but anyone with special dietary requirements should take their own refreshments. There is no charge to attend.

For more information contact Vikki Edge on 01228 814261.