(NC)-A diagnosis of Crohn's disease can seem a daunting obstacle for any athlete, whether a professional competitor or weekend warrior. The illness, a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract, causes abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss among other symptoms
However, for many their passion for sports outweighs the limitations of the disease. Professional athletes such as Ironman triathlete Jonathan Caron and former NHL hockey players Theo Fleury and Kevin Dineen have all competed despite Crohn's disease.
"The range of treatments now available means that patients should be able to pursue any sport they choose," says Dr. Brian Bressler, a Vancouver gastroenterologist.
Athletes need to take special care, because Crohn's can reduce the body's ability to absorb sufficient nutrients and may disrupt fluid and electrolyte balance.
Dr. Bressler stresses that, like all patients, athletes must talk to their doctors about treatment options that will put them on the path to remission.
The newest biologic therapy, for example, can be self-injected, thus providing greater convenience to the patient. This is a great boon for those with active lifestyles and, in particular, for professional athletes and high performance contestants who must travel to compete nationally and internationally.
Caron has found success as a triathlete by being in tune with the needs of his body and getting the treatment that is best suited to his active lifestyle.
"You can't fight your body. It's not about being tough," he says. "Sometimes you just have to take a rest when you need to."
Finding the right strategies and treatments is worth the effort for those who love sports.
"Not only are sports and exercise safe for Crohn's patients, they can be quite beneficial," Dr. Bressler says. "It helps reduce stress and improves your sense of well-being."
For more information about Crohn's disease, visit www.ccfc.ca.
- News Canada