Crohn's Disease in Older Adults

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are traditionally diagnosed in younger individuals. However, that they are life-long illness indicates that there are lots of older people who have lived with IBD for several years. Patients can put themselves into a position to have a high quality of life and enjoy their golden years by embracing a strategy for managing their disease that is compatible with their brief and long-lasting goals.

Crohn’s Disease in Older Adults

IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are a group of inflammatory diseases that mostly affect the intestinal (GI) tract. Approximately 1.4 million Americans have actually been diagnosed with IBD, and as much as 16 percent were diagnosed at age 60 or older.
The precise reason for IBD is presently unknown, but it is thought to be due to numerous elements consisting of: genetics, the body immune system, and one’s environment. It is uncertain why IBD might not establish in some people until later on in life. Symptoms differ from individual to person, even from disease flare to disease flare. The disease might be limited to the GI tract and consist of symptoms such as relentless diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stool, or it may impact the entire body and include symptoms such as fever, weight-loss, and fatigue.
At this point in time, no cure exists for IBD, but there are treatment alternatives to manage the symptoms and disease to improve or preserve patients’ quality of life.

Handling Your Care

Studies suggest that the course and advised treatment of IBD on its own does not vary significantly from that of a more youthful patient. However, a patient’s general health at the time of medical diagnosis plays a large function in identifying both how the disease affects him or her and how aggressively the doctor might treat the disease.
The length of time between preliminary symptoms and medical diagnosis might be longer for older adults than for more youthful patients for numerous reasons. These include that IBD provides with various symptoms in older patients than in more youthful ones, and a patient’s doctor need to eliminate other possible diseases. Should this lead to more severe symptoms or complications, a patient might need more aggressive treatment.
In addition, while the nature of a patient’s action and tolerance for particular IBD medications is not that much different than in a younger patient, reaction time to the medications may not be as fast. This is important for a patient’s physician to think about when figuring out course of treatment.
Lastly, special factors to consider should be taken into account, such as a patient’s ability to live separately, other diseases or health problems that require attention, and the medications the patient is considering these other conditions. For instance, biologic therapy, which is one of numerous treatments for IBD, might have adverse impacts if a patient has heart disease, or if used with particular medications, such as some for rheumatoid arthritis because they may increase the risk for infection. It is significantly important that patients discuss their medical requirements with their healthcare experts, closely monitor the development of their disease, and make preparations for unexpected issues.
Here is a broad, but definitely not complete list of choices for patients to think about when developing a plan to take charge of their IBD treatment:

Health Care

Affording Care: Between co-pays for physicians’ appointments, medications and numerous testing, and travel costs for these check outs, spending for health care can be costly. It is essential to note that:

At any age, a patient might be eligible for Social Security impairment advantages or Supplemental Security Income depending on their disease’s impact on their ability to work and general monetary circumstance, respectively.
Even if a patient is under the age of 65, she or he may be eligible for Medicare advantages if she or he received Social Security disability advantages for 24 months.
IBD patients may also be eligible for Medicaid coverage.

Many sponsored patient help programs exist to help patients in paying for care. See the “Resources” section for information.

Medical professionals and Treatment Facilities: The perfect gastroenterologist and his or her associated treatment facilities and health centers are partners with their patients in managing the treatment of the disease. All ought to provide features such as close proximity, the current in diagnostic and treatment innovations, and offer patients the time and attention they need.

Information verified by the iytmed.com team.

Preventive Care: In addition to routine screenings encouraged for all senior citizens, gastroenterologists might advise more frequent colonoscopies, as individuals with IBD involving the colon have an increased risk of developing colon cancer.

Self-Care

Extra Support: Depending on your health and mobility, IBD patients may need extra aid with treatment and everyday tasks. This may minimize a few of the physical and psychological toll the disease handles a patient’s life.
Alcohol and Smoking: Alcohol and tobacco impact each IBD patient differently. Nevertheless, its use needs to be restricted since of its capacity for making IBD symptoms even worse, damaging the patient’s overall health and disrupting medications.
Diet: While there is no specific diet that will make the inflammation related to IBD much better or worse, for any specific, certain foods might worsen symptoms. The patient’s doctor, nurse, or dietitian may detail a diet that satisfies his or her specific requirements. It is important to adhere to this plan to ensure your nutritional and caloric needs are satisfied and flares are kept to a minimum.

Hydration: Seniors are less able to hold up against dehydration, which might occur with diarrhea. It is a good idea for senior citizens to drink a lot of fluids, even with infrequent diarrhea.
Medication: One of the most convenient methods to handle IBD is by regularly taking prescribed medication. Unfortunately, it’s just as easy to forget. Adhering to a routine, setting tips, and using tablet counters are simply a couple of methods of making sure the patient gets every dose.
Preventive Treatments: In addition to IBD medications, IBD patients might be taking several medications to avoid certain health problems, such as low-dose aspirin or warfarin following a heart attack. These medications may engage with those for IBD, or intensify IBD symptoms. It is very important for patients to tell their doctor about all of the medications they are taking, and alert his/her doctor if they believe a problem.

Journaling: Patients may need to keep an everyday journal to write down info on items such as meals and activities, along with specific information relating to each flare she or he experiences. In time, patterns might help the patient and their doctor understand why they happen, and how to avoid them.
Medical Knowledge and Records: It is essential for patients to keep a complete and current file of their medical records and understand of all their diseases for effective disease management. In addition to copies of doctor’s notes and laboratory, endoscopy, pathology, and radiology reports, patients should know:

The IBD history and what part of the GI tract is included

All other diseases and illnesses
Past and current medications, their interactions, and any side effects experienced
Regular doctor’s name and contact details

Local doctor’s name and contact details if traveling or living in a temporary house,

Body and mind

The public might see IBD as absolutely nothing more than a set of physical symptoms, however anyone living with among these illness knows that the psychological toll can be even more difficult. IBD patients are at risk for a number of mental problems, consisting of anxiety, stress and anxiety, social isolation, and unfavorable self image.

As part of “self-care,” it is very important for patients to monitor their emotional state, and reach out for aid when times get too tough to manage alone. Remember, the mind and body connect with each other, so handling one without the other is actually not handling either at all. Here are some tips:

Unique Accommodations: Planning ahead can help relieve a few of the anxiety connected with IBD. It is important for patients to share information about their disease with unique requirements coordinators at places they frequent to make a prepare for unexpected issues.
Support Groups: Whether it is online by computer system or face-to-face, joining with other IBD patients to share sensations and experiences may help patients verify their feelings and recognize they are not alone. CCFA has more then 40 chapters and affiliates nationwide. Find a local support group and other events in your area by visiting http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/chapters/ or calling our Information Resource Center at 1-888. MY.GUT.PAIN (1-888-694-8872).
Therapists: When friends and family aren’t enough to assist the patient deal with a psychological problem, looking for the aid of a therapist isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather one of knowledge and commitment to his or her health.

Informing Others

Family, buddies, and associates might not understand IBD and might not know how to respond. At these moments, the patient can assist to inform others about the disease. While this might appear frightening at first, talking with others within the IBD neighborhood and creating a strategy may suffice to build up the courage to take this essential step.

Here are some techniques for informing others about IBD:

Know the disease: Patients cannot educate others if they aren’t well-informed about IBD themselves. CCFA’s Information Resource Center (IRC) can be an important source of information.

Rise above: Recognize that a comment or interaction that feels hurtful may not have been planned to be that way. It is all right to be upset, but understand that this inappropriate remark can stem from a lack of understanding, not always hostility.
Teach others: People are a lot more available to comments when it comes from an equivalent. Be mindful that completion- objective is education, which will help guide the response.
Be truthful: Being truthful when sharing an experience can be an effective tool in breaking through to others. By doing so, it is possible to change someone’s concept of IBD from an unknown disease to a personal one.

Social Settings

By planning ahead and making wise decisions that prevent mishaps and reduce symptoms, patients can be as social as they like and significantly enhance their general quality of life. Here are some circumstances for which a little planning can go a long method:

Sports: It is okay to engage in sports as long as a doctor provides clearance and the patient is feeling all right. Sports can be an excellent method to look and feel young. However, appropriate individuals, such as lifeguards, fitness instructors, or other personnel, need to be alerted beforehand to the patient’s requirements. Bathrooms need to also be scouted out.
Outings: Whether at the movies, a dining establishment, or any other place, the key is for a patient to know his or her limits and plan for the worst with proper employee and caregivers. That must relieve some anxiety, permitting the patient to relax and have a good time.

Taking a trip: This might be the most crucial activity for which preparation is an utmost priority. From locating local physicians and getting through airport security with prescription medications, to avoiding traveler’s diarrhea, putting together resources before travel can assist avoid an emergency circumstance.

Sexuality

Any senior can tell you that sex does not have to take a back seat once you hit 65. However, IBD might complicate this problem, so special treatment choices must be considered when developing a total strategy.

Women

While preliminary research studies recommend that menopause may start earlier in IBD patients, this does not appear to have any negative result on disease progression.

Having IBD increases patients’ risk for osteoporosis during menopause. Patients and their physicians must go over alternatives for reducing bone loss.
Some studies suggest Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) following menopause might have benefits with regard to IBD. However, due to the questionable nature of this treatment, some physicians may not recommend HRT.

Men

Aside from methotrexate, IBD medications do not normally cause impotence.

Ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA or J-Pouch) surgery, while occasionally associated with some loss of sexual function, is not associated with impotence. In addition, many men discover that any skilled modification or loss of function is surpassed by the beneficial result of reducing IBD symptoms.
There is no recognized association between IBD and prostate cancer. However, as with all senior male patients, some medical professionals may deem it crucial to routinely screen for the disease.

All Seniors

Much like for any other physical activity, it is essential for patients to ask their physicians if they are healthy enough for sex.

Some IBD patients are recommended medications for anxiety and anxiety management. Sexual side effects prevail with a few of these drugs. Patients ought to speak to their physician if they experience a reduction in sexual drive or performance after beginning these medications.
Negative body image and physical symptoms of IBD might prove to be challenging in maintaining a sexual relationship. Patients should consult with their doctor about managing these problems and should be honest with their partner.