thecrohnsdiseaseblog

Although I’m not a fan of Fox News, I came across this video feature on Yahoo about the Take Steps Foundation walk going on tomorrow in Syracuse New York.  I recommend checking out the video as multiple people, including the host have Crohn’s Disease, and discuss some of the issues surrounding Crohn’s.

You can watch the video HERE

For more information on the event in Syracuse tomorrow click HERE

Not too much major news this week. However there were some great fundraisers going on to raise awareness and money for the cause.  Also, be sure to check out an article about a possible new treatment in the works for Crohn’s Disease (This should probably have gotten it’s own post, but I just came across it now).

You can check out some of these stories here:

New Treatment For Crohn’s Patients Without Options

Walk To Raise Awareness About Crohn’s Disease and Colitis In Phoenix Arizona

Crohn’s Disease Fundraiser In Minnesota

The first paragraph of this article says it all, “Abbott Laboratories faces a product liability lawsuit over Humira, their blockbuster arthritis and Crohn’s Disease drug, which was filed by a woman who alleges that she has developed optic nerve damage and permanent vision problems from Humira.”

The woman who filed the suit, Jamie Bixby, reportedly developed opic neuritis as a result of her Humiria medication, which caused her vision to be damaged in one eye.  Bixby believes that Abbot Labs have downplayed potential vision side effects like she suffers from.  She feels that had she known in advance about this risk, she would have sought medical attention quicker, and possibly avoided permanent damage to her eye.

Personal Opinion: This incident is certainly unfortunate.  I feel all information regarding potential side effects should be clear and openly discussed with a patient before starting a treatment.  Bixby’s doctor claimed to have been unaware of potential side effects such as optic neuritis.  This makes me wonder if more blame should be put on the doctor’s shoulders, or is this truly a case of Humira not being completely forthcoming with information?

Sources:

Click here to read the entire article

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It appears as though Nestle is looking looking to become more involved in the Health Care industry, as they recently agreed to purchase Prometheus Laboratories.  Prometheus Laboratories is an “American company specializing in gastrointestinal and cancer diagnostics.”

Will this have a significant impact on Crohn’s treatment or research? That remains to be seen.  However, it is interesting that Nestle is starting to acquire companies involved in clinical nutrion. They acquired Vitaflow last August, which works with metabolic disease, and bought a company named CM&D Pharma in Feburary which is another company which also deals with inflammatory bowel diseases and cancer.

Does Nestle just see these acquisitions as a means to make money? Nestle claims this is part of their effort to “personalized nutrition strategies that will help in the management and prevention of chronic health conditions.”

What do you think?

Link to article

As mentioned in a previous blog post, today is National IBD day.  There are a number of events going on to raise money and awareness across the globe, from Arkansas to Belgium.

Check out the following links to read stories on how people are spreading awareness, and raising money:

Fundraising in Arkansas [This article talks about organziations such as Team Challenge, which helps raise money for Crohn's Disease. Also be sure to check out the video interview with a young lady who suffers from Crohn's herself.]

Raising Awareness in Brussels  [This piece focuses on the importance of promoting awareness of Crohn's, since it is not a disease which many people are knowledgable about, unless they are affected.]

Raising Awareness In the UK [This article discusses some of the many obstacles those suffering from Crohn's must over come. This insightful article talks about how just identifying their disease was a struggle for many Crohn's sufferers.]