Crohn’s disease patient grateful for individualized care

Sarah Ruder, Glencoe, has a long family history of Crohn’s disease ― an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Sarah’s symptoms began around age 16 and she was diagnosed 5 years later in 2000.

“My symptoms started as having to go the bathroom immediately after I ate. Sometimes I was not even done eating a meal and had to go. After going to the bathroom, I would get horrible cramps. I noticed as I got older, I rarely had firm stool — always diarrhea,” Sarah explained.

According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Crohn’s disease is most often diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 30 and, even though there is a genetic component associated with an increased risk of Crohn’s disease, it is impossible to predict who may get it based on family history.

Finding individualized treatment options 

There is no cure for Crohn’s disease, but treatments can offer relief from symptoms and improve quality of life. Some people with Crohn’s disease are in remission and can go years without a flare-up, while others are affected frequently, even daily. Treatment options are not a “one-size-fits-all” solution and often include a combination of altering diet and nutrition, medications, participating in clinical trials and sometimes even surgery.

Sarah has spent her entire adult life navigating Crohn’s disease. For over twenty of those years, her symptoms were not under control, greatly impacting her quality of life. It wasn’t until about five years ago when she started seeing Sabina Khan, MD, Gastroenterology, Ridgeview, that she finally found a treatment plan that effectively provides relief from her symptoms.

“Dr. Khan genuinely cares about the well-being of her patients. She always takes the time to listen and comes to my appointments educated on my case. She has really worked hard to develop a care plan that helps control my symptoms. I am so happy to have such a wonderful provider in my corner,” Sarah said.

‘Because people cannot see it, they often do not understand it’

“Crohn’s disease affects daily life so much more than people realize and because people cannot see it, they often do not understand it. It can be difficult to go places — especially out to eat — because I am always in fear of where the bathroom is. After so many years of living with it, I have learned what I can and cannot do and I am so grateful I found Dr. Khan,” Sarah shared.

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, including Crohn’s disease, are the focus of this specialty. Ridgeview’s board-certified gastroenterologists are experts in diagnosing, managing and treating diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract.