Hi Gang!
Please review and comment. This is not set in stone. Anything can be changed. Thanks! I tried to make it as concise and simple as possible as per Christine's excellent comment about not overwhelming newbies.
Overview of Microscopic Colitis
Microscopic colitis (MC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon that is thought to be autoimmune in origin. It can only be diagnosed by examining a biopsy specimen of the colon under a microscope. The term MC includes both lymphocytic colitis (LC) and collagenous colitis (CC).
The most common symptoms of MC include diarrhea (often with much frequency and urgency), abdominal pain, and abdominal bloating. Other symptoms and signs, such as fatigue, joint pains, muscle aches, fibromyalgia, and fever, are not unusual. Bloody stools are not a typical characteristic of MC but can be due to related problems such as hemmorhoids, rectal fissure, or infection.
It is thought that MC occurs when the body mistakenly recognizes the "good" bacteria in its colon as foreign and begins to make antibodies to kill it off. This upsets the natural balance of "good vs. "bad" bacteria in the colon, which allows for an overgrowth of "bad" bacteria and leads to chronic inflammation.
What initiates the autoimmune process in the first place? It is believed that there is a genetic component......a gene that makes certain individuals more likely to get MC. In addition, other factors have been suggested, including the use of aspirin and other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatoy drugs like ibuprofen and naprosyn), prolonged antibiotic use, infection (Clostridium difficile infection, for example), ingestion of certain foods, and possibly female hormones.
Other autoimmune problems can be associated with MC. Examples include thyroid disease, diabetes type I, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. However, the most common autoimmune problem associated with MC is gluten sensitivity, where the body also begins making antibodies to ingested gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, oats, and barley). This can prolong and heighten the original colitis until gluten is eliminated from the diet. The type of gluten sensitivity that is associated with MC is usually a milder or earlier stage than that found in classic celiac disease, and as a result, will not show up on the standard tests used to diagnose celiac disease.
Another draft for your review
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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moremuscle
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 706
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:16 am
- Location: South Carolina
Polly,
This is very good. I can see you tried to be concise (short and to the point). Not a bad idea since those who want to know more can go into more detailed studies and articles written elsewhere, like for example on Dr. Fine's site Finerhealt.com
I miss a little history (again short) - when was Microscopic Colitis first diagnosed/defined; since it is a relatively new disease thought to be rare not much is known about it and/or treatment options.
I also miss a little about who is afflicted - is it true it is mostly middle aged women?
These are just suggestions that you can take into consideration. I don't mind if they are not included - will not take any offense.
Love,
Karen
This is very good. I can see you tried to be concise (short and to the point). Not a bad idea since those who want to know more can go into more detailed studies and articles written elsewhere, like for example on Dr. Fine's site Finerhealt.com
I miss a little history (again short) - when was Microscopic Colitis first diagnosed/defined; since it is a relatively new disease thought to be rare not much is known about it and/or treatment options.
I also miss a little about who is afflicted - is it true it is mostly middle aged women?
These are just suggestions that you can take into consideration. I don't mind if they are not included - will not take any offense.
Love,
Karen
Hey :)
I liked the other one a bit better, just because it was much less technical and just an intro.. I think we should suggest in the intro that they visit the FAQ section, and then put that sort of stuff in the FAQs.. bold titles, and regular text for the answer of the question.. just my opinion tho :)
Christine
Christine
Faq
Yep, I was thinking that I'd expect Faq to have to do with M.C. Faq. Could we possibly shift all techie stuff to another heading (like maybe "How to use this site?" and use the Faq for Faq about M.C.? Maybe that would be redundant, or maybe we should just not use the word Faq at all, if that's possible.
Yours, Luce
Yours, Luce
Luce,
The board has its own built-in "FAQ" list, (up at the top of the page, to the left of the "search" function. Apparently hardly anyone ever bothers to open it, but it's there, and covers the features of using the board quiet well. I intended thd FAQ room in the "information" forums to be used for brief questons and answers about MC and related issues, for newbies who are looking for short and to-the-point anwers, before they tackle the longer, more detailed discussions of the various issues--just in case some individuals prefer that approach. If it proves unpopular, we can always trash it, or re-invent it, later.
Tex.
The board has its own built-in "FAQ" list, (up at the top of the page, to the left of the "search" function. Apparently hardly anyone ever bothers to open it, but it's there, and covers the features of using the board quiet well. I intended thd FAQ room in the "information" forums to be used for brief questons and answers about MC and related issues, for newbies who are looking for short and to-the-point anwers, before they tackle the longer, more detailed discussions of the various issues--just in case some individuals prefer that approach. If it proves unpopular, we can always trash it, or re-invent it, later.
Tex.
OK, there are several options here:
1. I can put the MC overview into Q and A format and put it in the newbie room.
2. I can leave the MC overview in its present paragraph form and move it to the newbie room.
3. I can put it in Q and A form and move it to the FAQ room under the Information Forums.
Your opinions, please??? Thanks.
Love,
Polly
1. I can put the MC overview into Q and A format and put it in the newbie room.
2. I can leave the MC overview in its present paragraph form and move it to the newbie room.
3. I can put it in Q and A form and move it to the FAQ room under the Information Forums.
Your opinions, please??? Thanks.
Love,
Polly
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moremuscle
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 706
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:16 am
- Location: South Carolina
I like the paragraph form in the newbie room.
Then a FAQ Q & A form.
ie.: Is MC hereditary?
Is it normal to....?
Is IBS the same as MC?
Things like this.
I wonder if cross-referencing would be cool. Such as "See the receipe room for great ideas on GF dishes, etc. This kind of keeps things itemized and in some sort of organization for reference purposes. Could maybe reference different rooms in the paragraph form also???
Just more food for thought!
Your doing great! Keep up the good work! (insert thumbs up sign here)!!!!
Then a FAQ Q & A form.
ie.: Is MC hereditary?
Is it normal to....?
Is IBS the same as MC?
Things like this.
I wonder if cross-referencing would be cool. Such as "See the receipe room for great ideas on GF dishes, etc. This kind of keeps things itemized and in some sort of organization for reference purposes. Could maybe reference different rooms in the paragraph form also???
Just more food for thought!
Your doing great! Keep up the good work! (insert thumbs up sign here)!!!!
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -- Buddha
Hi Polly
What a wonderful gift you are to this board!!! I like the intro but would add orphan status & who is affected & the also answer in FAQ. That way the newbies, like me, could get answers in both places & formats. Sometimes you need to hear it more than once. "Denial is not just a river in Egypt". What you (we) are introducing is information of a life changing illness that will not go away but will get better with medication/diet changes. That is a hard nut to crack for most people. Again thanks again for all your hard work. Love & light, Rita
What a wonderful gift you are to this board!!! I like the intro but would add orphan status & who is affected & the also answer in FAQ. That way the newbies, like me, could get answers in both places & formats. Sometimes you need to hear it more than once. "Denial is not just a river in Egypt". What you (we) are introducing is information of a life changing illness that will not go away but will get better with medication/diet changes. That is a hard nut to crack for most people. Again thanks again for all your hard work. Love & light, Rita
Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy & borderline yeast