From now on I don't think i'm gonna set a timeline for my posts because I only like to write when i'm in the mood. Anyways, I have came across a very interesting article that I would like to share with everybody. I am only am going to share parts of this article that have the most intriguing information in my opinion.
"According to leading CD researcher, British surgeon Dr. John Hermon-Taylor, CD "began by appearing in developed societies in temperate regions of the globe, with intensive farming."Rates of CD, most prevalent in North America and Europe, have steadily increased over the decades. Today CD is estimated to affect between 400,000 and 600,000 people in North America. The region with the highest incidence worldwide? Manitoba, Canada."
"CD rates are rising in Iran, India, Brazil, China, and Japan - Countries that formerly had low incidences of the disease".
The key word in this paragraph is FARMING!! The demand for dairy products is overwhelming in today's society. With an ever growing population, makes this much more susceptible for an increase in CD in Canada. Canada has to supply it's own dairy products all over the world, and that definitely includes the above mentioned areas which have been affected by the disease. But i'm not saying that Canadian farming is to blame, but I think it a great example of the whole supply and demand issue throughout all of North America. And when the demand is high, the envelope is pushed, and mistakes are made. I have 2 theories on this!! One which is my own theory, and the other is the scientists who have made this their life's work to find the cure.
Theory One
Since I am not a scientist and have not done research, this is just a judgement call from my own conclusions.
I work in retail, and have done so for going on 13 years and I was a dairy manager for 3 of those years. When you buy a dairy product (e.g. 2% Milk 4L bag), they have expiration dates on them as most people know. These dates would not be very long, a week, maybe a 10 days tops (normally when a new dairy order would arrive would have a date of 10 days). I would say this would be at least 7-8 years ago. I find now the dates on milk products are alot longer now than they used to be. You now can have a bag of milk in the fridge for 2 to sometimes 3 weeks?? So you tell me, what preservatives (if you can call them that) are used to have a product that lasts that long. So is it what you could call preservatives that could trigger CD amongst people who don't have the cells to fight off this immune system attacker.
Theory Two (this one makes more sense)
"In 1913 a Glasgow surgeon name Thomas Kennedy Dalziel described a possible connection between Johne's disease (an intestinal disorder common to cattle and other livestock) and cases of chronic intestinal inflammation in humans. Cows with Johne's demonstrate many of the same symptoms and tissue changes found in humans with CD. Dalziel proposed that MAP, the bacteria that causes Johne's, could be the cause for CD. Experts have a hotly debated this theory, ever since.
Infected cows secrete MAP (A bacteria that is linked to CD) into ilk or deposit it in pastures through feces. According to a paper by North Dakota State researcher Uzoigwe, published in Epidemiology and Infection, up to 40 percent of American Dairy herds maybe infected. Hermon-taylor reports that pasteurization procedures may not completely destroy the bacteria.
Epidemiologists have observed the CD rates are rising in low incidences of the disease(the above named countries). Note that these countries have significantly increased their production and consumption of dairy products."
So what I get of that is a couple of things.
1) They know that there definitely is a Link between Cows and humans which cause CD!!
2) Cows who have Johne disease have the same Symptoms as humans who have CD!!
3)Cows can spread the disease through milk or in feces that spreads through the pastures!!
Now does this not get you mad, because I am having a hard time typing this article after reading this!! If these scientists know or have a "theory" on the link between crohn's disease and farming, why are they not fighting hard enough to inspect these cattle and get rid of the ones that have the disease and any other infected cattle. We have to push hard on this because it is just getting worse before it gets better. I know I don't want my son or daughter to have this horrible disease. And especially if you know there's a possible solution out there and nobody is listening, it makes me angry is an understatement. There is a cure, and it's closer then we all think!! It's time we make a stand!!
This is a serious disease and for the people who don't know what it's like, just think when you ever had the flu last and had to live on the toilet. Now that would be something you wouldn't forget right?? Well most people who have crohn's do that every single day and especially when we eat the wrong thing and have a flare up, you double that.
I will post more on this article next team. Furthermore, if anybody wants to leave me an email or comment on the above blog please be my guest. Anyways got to get to bed, I gotta work in 6 hours, I shouldn't of started this so late.
Alex Sharko
Monday, March 2, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Crohn's is different from Colitis!
Hello people,
It's been a couple of days since I have posted last. I have been busy working on my hockey forum that I just started up. If you are a hockey fan and looking to chat about your favourite team check out 24/7 Hockey talk at http://sharkos.forumotion.net/forum.htm. Anyways enough about that.
I wanted to help educate people who don't know the difference between Crohn's and Colitis. I had a former co-worker who had colitis and she thought it was the same thing as what I have which is Crohn's. Both are terrible and chronic illnesses that affect your everyday lifestyle but there is a difference. Colitis can be actually be put into permanent remission while crohn's cannot. If you have surgery when diagnosed with colitis, studies show that you it will not reoccur, while Crohn's is the opposite as discussed in my last blog. Here is some information on the differences between Crohn's and Colitis.
How is Crohn's disease different from ulcerative colitis?
While ulcerative colitis causes inflammation only in the colon (colitis) and/or the rectum (proctitis), Crohn's disease may cause inflammation in the colon, rectum, small intestine (jejunum and ileum), and, occasionally, even the stomach, mouth, and esophagus.
The patterns of inflammation in Crohn's disease are different from ulcerative colitis. Except in the most severe cases, the inflammation of ulcerative colitis tends to involve the superficial layers of the inner lining of the bowel. The inflammation also tends to be diffuse and uniform. (All of the lining in the affected segment of the intestine is inflamed.) Unlike ulcerative colitis, the inflammation of Crohn's disease is concentrated in some areas more than others and involves layers of the bowel that are deeper than the superficial inner layers. Therefore, the affected segment(s) of bowel in Crohn's disease often is studded with deeper ulcers with normal lining between these ulcers. (This information was provided by the Ottawa General Hospital)
So as you can see, Colitis affects one main area, the Large intestine, while Crohn's pretty much affects everything from the top to the bottom. Since I have been diagnosed I have arthritis, my eyes are affected, stomach, and of course my bowels. Today for example I woke up and would see nothing but a blur. Most people would say oh that's just because you just woke up and you need time to adjust. Ok well tell me that when I have been up for 8 hours and it's still there. When my eyes start to blur, it's like a warning sign for me saying stop doing what your doing and get some rest and eat properly. It's sort of nice to get a warning like this because when I get a full flare up, it's a nightmare, I have to take time off work and I don't want to be near anybody. Well unfortunately I am still not listening to my body cause it's 11:40pm and i'm still awake typing this blog so I think i'm gonna end it for now.
For anybody who has crohn's, you have to learn one thing. When your body is trying to call you, don't let the answering machine pick up.
It's been a couple of days since I have posted last. I have been busy working on my hockey forum that I just started up. If you are a hockey fan and looking to chat about your favourite team check out 24/7 Hockey talk at http://sharkos.forumotion.net/forum.htm. Anyways enough about that.
I wanted to help educate people who don't know the difference between Crohn's and Colitis. I had a former co-worker who had colitis and she thought it was the same thing as what I have which is Crohn's. Both are terrible and chronic illnesses that affect your everyday lifestyle but there is a difference. Colitis can be actually be put into permanent remission while crohn's cannot. If you have surgery when diagnosed with colitis, studies show that you it will not reoccur, while Crohn's is the opposite as discussed in my last blog. Here is some information on the differences between Crohn's and Colitis.
How is Crohn's disease different from ulcerative colitis?
While ulcerative colitis causes inflammation only in the colon (colitis) and/or the rectum (proctitis), Crohn's disease may cause inflammation in the colon, rectum, small intestine (jejunum and ileum), and, occasionally, even the stomach, mouth, and esophagus.
The patterns of inflammation in Crohn's disease are different from ulcerative colitis. Except in the most severe cases, the inflammation of ulcerative colitis tends to involve the superficial layers of the inner lining of the bowel. The inflammation also tends to be diffuse and uniform. (All of the lining in the affected segment of the intestine is inflamed.) Unlike ulcerative colitis, the inflammation of Crohn's disease is concentrated in some areas more than others and involves layers of the bowel that are deeper than the superficial inner layers. Therefore, the affected segment(s) of bowel in Crohn's disease often is studded with deeper ulcers with normal lining between these ulcers. (This information was provided by the Ottawa General Hospital)
So as you can see, Colitis affects one main area, the Large intestine, while Crohn's pretty much affects everything from the top to the bottom. Since I have been diagnosed I have arthritis, my eyes are affected, stomach, and of course my bowels. Today for example I woke up and would see nothing but a blur. Most people would say oh that's just because you just woke up and you need time to adjust. Ok well tell me that when I have been up for 8 hours and it's still there. When my eyes start to blur, it's like a warning sign for me saying stop doing what your doing and get some rest and eat properly. It's sort of nice to get a warning like this because when I get a full flare up, it's a nightmare, I have to take time off work and I don't want to be near anybody. Well unfortunately I am still not listening to my body cause it's 11:40pm and i'm still awake typing this blog so I think i'm gonna end it for now.
For anybody who has crohn's, you have to learn one thing. When your body is trying to call you, don't let the answering machine pick up.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Low residue Diet for Crohn's Disease
Low Residue Diet for Crohn’s Disease
I wanted to post this for anybody who need ideas for making a meal who has Crohn's Disease or if somebody is hosted a dinner for someone who has Crohn's. This is also a good list to follow when you have any flare ups which is very common with most Crohn's sufferer's. Hope this can be some help.
Food Groups
Fruits
You may eat:
- peeled cherries, grapes, peaches
- canned fruit
- tangerine and mardarine sections
- seedless melon, mango
- canned pumpkin
- peeled pears*, apples*, plums*, apricots*
- banana*
- grapefruit* and orange sections*
- applesauce*
*Foods rich in soluble fiber or foods which have “binding properties”
Avoid Fruits
- all dried fruits
- all berries (blueberry, strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, blackberry)
- fresh pineapple
- rhubarb
- candied fruit and peel
- prunes
- prune juice
Vegetables
You may eat:
All permitted vegetables should be overly cooked.
- green and yellow beans
- finely chopped celery
- parsnips
- tomatoes (no skin, no seeds)
- cauliflower (may be gassy)
- avocado*
- beets*
- squash*
- onions*(may be gassy)
- asparagus tips*
- finely chopped green and red peppers*
- carrots*, turnips*
- potatoes* and sweet potatoes* (no skin)
- peeled and seeded zucchini* and cucumber*
*Foods rich in soluble fiber or foods which have “binding properties”.
Avoid Vegetables
- cabbage, coleslaw, brussel sprouts, broccoli
- mushrooms, corn, green peas and snow peas
- lettuce, celery, radishes
- green leafy vegetables, spinach, chard, Chinese greens, beans sprouts
- eggplant
- sauerkraut
Breads, Cereals and Other Grain Products
You may eat:
- white bread and buns
- soda crackers, melba toast
- pancakes, waffles, plain muffins, English muffins, croissants, crumpets
- cereals such as: cream of wheat, refined cereals, puffed wheat, puffed rice
- pretzels, croutons
- angel food cake, poundcake, cornmeal cake or bread
- short bread, arrowroot and sugar cookies, social teas, digestives
- tortilla
- barley*, rice*, pasta*
- rolled oats*, oatbran*
- tapioca*
- corn starch*, tapioca starch*, arrowroot
*Foods rich in soluble fiber or foods which have “ binding” properties”.
You should avoid:
- whole grain flours and products with nuts, seeds and dried fruit
- whole wheat and whole grain breads
- whole wheat pasta
- brown and wild rice
- whole grain cereals such as: All Bran, 100% Bran, Shredded Wheat, Bran Flakes, Raisin Bran, Red River, granola
- bran muffins
- taco shells
- wheat germ
Meat and Alternates
You may eat:
- all meat, fish and poultry
- eggs in any form
- smooth peanut butter*
- sesame seed butter *(tahini)
- pureed bean dip* (re: humus, refried beans)(may be gassy)
You should avoid:
- tough, stringy meat
- skin of chicken, sausages, and a wieners
- legumes such as lentils, dried beans, dried peas, soya beans
- nuts, almonds, peanuts, seeds (sesame, sunflower, poppy)
- crunchy peanut butter
- coconut
*Foods rich in soluble fiber or foods which have “binding properties”.
Milk and Milk Products
You may eat/drink:
- all milk and milk drinks, buttermilk
- all cheeses
- puddings, custard, junket
- yogurt (no nuts or seeds)
- cream soups
- cream, sour cream
- ice cream (no nuts or seeds)
You should avoid:
- all others containing nuts, seeds, candied fruit and peel, dried fruit, coconut
Comments: This food group may cause you some difficulty, ie: bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhea. If you are lactose intolerant, the use of an enzyme (lactaid) may be necessary.
Miscellaneous
You may eat:
- jello, sherbet
- jelly, honey, syrups, sugar (white or brown)
- toffee, hard candies
- butter, margarine, mayonnaise
- mustard, ketchup, soya sauce
- cheezies, potato chips
- soups of all kind except vegetable and pea
You should avoid:
- pickles, relish, black and green olives
- popcorn
- highly seasoned and spicy foods
- jams, marmalade
- candies containing nuts, seeds, dried fruit or coconut
- corn chips
Others
If you are experiencing problems with gastrointestinal discomfort, limit the following:
- sugarless gum (contains sugars sorbitol and mannitol)
- tea, coffee
- cocoa, chocolate
- alcoholic beverages
- carbonated beverages
- spicy foods
- citrus foods and their juices
- very hot liquids Ie: Hot chocolate
- deep fried or fatty foods
I wanted to post this for anybody who need ideas for making a meal who has Crohn's Disease or if somebody is hosted a dinner for someone who has Crohn's. This is also a good list to follow when you have any flare ups which is very common with most Crohn's sufferer's. Hope this can be some help.
Food Groups
Fruits
You may eat:
- peeled cherries, grapes, peaches
- canned fruit
- tangerine and mardarine sections
- seedless melon, mango
- canned pumpkin
- peeled pears*, apples*, plums*, apricots*
- banana*
- grapefruit* and orange sections*
- applesauce*
*Foods rich in soluble fiber or foods which have “binding properties”
Avoid Fruits
- all dried fruits
- all berries (blueberry, strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, blackberry)
- fresh pineapple
- rhubarb
- candied fruit and peel
- prunes
- prune juice
Vegetables
You may eat:
All permitted vegetables should be overly cooked.
- green and yellow beans
- finely chopped celery
- parsnips
- tomatoes (no skin, no seeds)
- cauliflower (may be gassy)
- avocado*
- beets*
- squash*
- onions*(may be gassy)
- asparagus tips*
- finely chopped green and red peppers*
- carrots*, turnips*
- potatoes* and sweet potatoes* (no skin)
- peeled and seeded zucchini* and cucumber*
*Foods rich in soluble fiber or foods which have “binding properties”.
Avoid Vegetables
- cabbage, coleslaw, brussel sprouts, broccoli
- mushrooms, corn, green peas and snow peas
- lettuce, celery, radishes
- green leafy vegetables, spinach, chard, Chinese greens, beans sprouts
- eggplant
- sauerkraut
Breads, Cereals and Other Grain Products
You may eat:
- white bread and buns
- soda crackers, melba toast
- pancakes, waffles, plain muffins, English muffins, croissants, crumpets
- cereals such as: cream of wheat, refined cereals, puffed wheat, puffed rice
- pretzels, croutons
- angel food cake, poundcake, cornmeal cake or bread
- short bread, arrowroot and sugar cookies, social teas, digestives
- tortilla
- barley*, rice*, pasta*
- rolled oats*, oatbran*
- tapioca*
- corn starch*, tapioca starch*, arrowroot
*Foods rich in soluble fiber or foods which have “ binding” properties”.
You should avoid:
- whole grain flours and products with nuts, seeds and dried fruit
- whole wheat and whole grain breads
- whole wheat pasta
- brown and wild rice
- whole grain cereals such as: All Bran, 100% Bran, Shredded Wheat, Bran Flakes, Raisin Bran, Red River, granola
- bran muffins
- taco shells
- wheat germ
Meat and Alternates
You may eat:
- all meat, fish and poultry
- eggs in any form
- smooth peanut butter*
- sesame seed butter *(tahini)
- pureed bean dip* (re: humus, refried beans)(may be gassy)
You should avoid:
- tough, stringy meat
- skin of chicken, sausages, and a wieners
- legumes such as lentils, dried beans, dried peas, soya beans
- nuts, almonds, peanuts, seeds (sesame, sunflower, poppy)
- crunchy peanut butter
- coconut
*Foods rich in soluble fiber or foods which have “binding properties”.
Milk and Milk Products
You may eat/drink:
- all milk and milk drinks, buttermilk
- all cheeses
- puddings, custard, junket
- yogurt (no nuts or seeds)
- cream soups
- cream, sour cream
- ice cream (no nuts or seeds)
You should avoid:
- all others containing nuts, seeds, candied fruit and peel, dried fruit, coconut
Comments: This food group may cause you some difficulty, ie: bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhea. If you are lactose intolerant, the use of an enzyme (lactaid) may be necessary.
Miscellaneous
You may eat:
- jello, sherbet
- jelly, honey, syrups, sugar (white or brown)
- toffee, hard candies
- butter, margarine, mayonnaise
- mustard, ketchup, soya sauce
- cheezies, potato chips
- soups of all kind except vegetable and pea
You should avoid:
- pickles, relish, black and green olives
- popcorn
- highly seasoned and spicy foods
- jams, marmalade
- candies containing nuts, seeds, dried fruit or coconut
- corn chips
Others
If you are experiencing problems with gastrointestinal discomfort, limit the following:
- sugarless gum (contains sugars sorbitol and mannitol)
- tea, coffee
- cocoa, chocolate
- alcoholic beverages
- carbonated beverages
- spicy foods
- citrus foods and their juices
- very hot liquids Ie: Hot chocolate
- deep fried or fatty foods
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Crohn's Disease my story
Well as I promised I would talk to you about Crohn's Disease. This all started when I got back from my vacation in the carribean in feb 07. I started feeling horrible during my vacation, like I had heartburn in my stomach. I went to the doctor and he said I had an ulcer and gave me some prevacid. I tried that for a couple of weeks and it seemed it was getting worse. So I went back to the doctor and he started to do some tests on me. First it was bloodwork, then xrays, and then ultrasound. The results didn't show much, but it was looking like it was crohn's but not a 100% total diagnosis. So my doctor sent me to a specialist in Ottawa. The specialist said I needed the dreadful colonscopy!! If you don't know what that is, I will explain in minor detail. It is when they send a camera up your into your bowels. All I can say is that I'm glad I was drugged for the procedure. After that I had an MRI (very powerful xray) and it showed that I did indeed have crohn's disease. Crohn's disease effects everything from the intestines up to the throat. You get what you call flare ups. These flare ups can last for hours or for days if really bad. I have been hospitalized from a flare up which lasted a week and losing 20 pounds on top.
Crohn's disease is a chronic illness and right now there is no cure. You can have surgery to put the disease into remission by removing part of the small intestine. This will only last for 6 months up to 10 years at the very most. The best way for me to fight this disease is through immune suppressor medication. I take what is called immuran and it helps me cope everyday. Flare ups are to a minimum and I can go on with my everyday life. One thing that can cause flare ups is STRESS! I know this for a fact because I would stress over everything and it would just make it worse. The stress factor is still an issue for Gastro specialists since some believe it's a factor while others say no. Now if there is a stress in my life I deal with it right away and then forget it. DONE! If you don't let go off something you stress about as soon as possible you will end up getting sick.
CROHN'S DISEASE IS ON THE RISE IN NORTH AMERICA
There are other factors that doctors and scientists are looking into as possibilities why this disease is rapidly increasing. The links are becoming more obvious as a hereditary factor, and milk consumption is a concern as well. Any type of disease or cancer can be linked as herditary, but milk consumption?? Doctors say that some people have a gene that cannot consume milk products and once that gene is overwhelmed it can cause flare ups which don't go away. Which make sense for me personally because I am totally lactose intolerant now since I have been diagnosed with the disease. So it's like an on switch for crohn's. Now we need to find the off switch?? With crohn's disease on the rise in North America, can milk products be the root of the problem?
Anyways that is some information that I know about crohn's disease. There are some very useful websites that can give you more information on the disease.
This one site is very useful.
Please go to http://www.badgut.com/index.php?contentFile=crohns&title=Crohn's%20Disease
If you want to leave any comments or ask any questions, feel free to contact me at Alexsharko@gmail.com.
Crohn's disease is a chronic illness and right now there is no cure. You can have surgery to put the disease into remission by removing part of the small intestine. This will only last for 6 months up to 10 years at the very most. The best way for me to fight this disease is through immune suppressor medication. I take what is called immuran and it helps me cope everyday. Flare ups are to a minimum and I can go on with my everyday life. One thing that can cause flare ups is STRESS! I know this for a fact because I would stress over everything and it would just make it worse. The stress factor is still an issue for Gastro specialists since some believe it's a factor while others say no. Now if there is a stress in my life I deal with it right away and then forget it. DONE! If you don't let go off something you stress about as soon as possible you will end up getting sick.
CROHN'S DISEASE IS ON THE RISE IN NORTH AMERICA
There are other factors that doctors and scientists are looking into as possibilities why this disease is rapidly increasing. The links are becoming more obvious as a hereditary factor, and milk consumption is a concern as well. Any type of disease or cancer can be linked as herditary, but milk consumption?? Doctors say that some people have a gene that cannot consume milk products and once that gene is overwhelmed it can cause flare ups which don't go away. Which make sense for me personally because I am totally lactose intolerant now since I have been diagnosed with the disease. So it's like an on switch for crohn's. Now we need to find the off switch?? With crohn's disease on the rise in North America, can milk products be the root of the problem?
Anyways that is some information that I know about crohn's disease. There are some very useful websites that can give you more information on the disease.
This one site is very useful.
Please go to http://www.badgut.com/index.php?contentFile=crohns&title=Crohn's%20Disease
If you want to leave any comments or ask any questions, feel free to contact me at Alexsharko@gmail.com.
Hello fellow bloggers
Today is my first blog on the internet. So trying to decide on what I would like to blog about is very hard when you have a pile of ideas! Especially when your like me, a guy who has a lot of energy who when is trying something new, wants to say everything all at once on the keyboard. So I think I am just gonna slow it down a bit and introduce myself and let you know a little bit about me.
My name is Alex and I am a very busy person. I like to always be doing something! If i'm not doing something, I feel like I'm failing. Anybody feel like that? From the minute I get up in the morning to get ready for work to the moment I am about to go to bed, I am constantly thinking on ways to improve my life. That's how I got the name of my blog "The Extra Mile". It's a good persona for sure, but I can't shut it off. For example, I went on vacation about 2 weeks ago to Mexico on a cruise. By the way if your a person who doesn't like to just lay on a beach when your on a vacation, go on a cruise. I totally reccomend it for any busybody. Anyways, I was suppose to be relaxing right?? I probably only slept 5 hours a night on the boat. My fiance and I would hit every shore excursion possible. And on the last day of the cruise just to numb it down a shade, we did a walk for breast cancer (you walk around the boat 10 times at .25 miles a lap) for 2 miles. When I got back home and went back to work, I didn't miss a beat. I was still going like a bat out of hell. So I'm looking to channel my energy. I find sitting down and surfing the net does that for me. Unfortunately I get bored easily and would only do that for awhile (1 hour at most) then back at it again. Then I came across blogging and it looked interesting! Maybe I can use some of this energy to calm me down briefly and maybe entertain some people on here as well.
Well this might be a start to a beautiful friendship. Anyways next post I will talk about the disease I was diagnosed with last year - Crohn's Disease. Anyways remember before I go.
Always go the Extra Mile in everything you do!
Alex
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