Once the month of December begins, many people have the holidays on their minds, most notably Christmas. The first week of the month has a more significant meaning for millions of Americans for a completely different reason and one that many should be aware of. December 1-7 marks Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week. While these conditions affect millions of Americans, there is quite a bit of misinformation regarding both ailments. The purpose of this week is to educate the public better and broaden the awareness of both these conditions.
The reason why both of these conditions were not discussed more openly has much less to do with willful ignorance and more to do with the fact that there was very little done in the way of in-depth medical research. The first reported case did not emerge until the 1950s when a woman named Suzanne Rosenthall was admitted to the hospital complaining of severe abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with what was named Crohn’s Disease, the inflammation of one’s gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative colitis is similar, though it primarily affects the colon and large intestine.
To educate and diagnose both of these conditions more effectively and bring more attention to the public consciousness, Rosenthall and her husband established the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation in 1965. This is why we spend the first week of December recognizing the millions of Americans and others worldwide afflicted with this ailment. You can participate and do your part in many different ways. As Surgeon General C. Everett Koop was noted for saying, there’s no prescription more valuable than knowledge. While you might not be aware of anyone with either condition, taking the time to make yourself more aware of the impact that both have on the population is one of the best things you can do. There are also several non-profit organizations and other groups that spread awareness and contribute to the medical research field. While you might not be able to contribute a great deal, every donation helps those afflicted and can help educate the public further regarding these matters.
Cymed Microskin
Assisting individuals to maintain a quality of life is what we strive to do with our unique line of products. If you or someone you know is afflicted with Chron’s disease or Colitis, Cymed MicroSkin can help facilitate their needs for the supplies needed to sustain a happy and healthy lifestyle. Give us a call at 800-582-0707 to learn more or fill out the form on this page.