Commemorate The Special Disease Awareness Week, Recognize Symptoms To How To Treat

Eid Health Day commemoration activity IYesica Sitinjak/VOI)

JAKARTA - Every year on December 1-7 is commemorated at the Ulcerative Cholenical Awareness Week and Crohn Disease (intestinal inflammation disease). In commemoration of this, the Indonesian Gastroenterology Foundation (YGI), supported by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia and PT Takeda Indonesia today, is conducting media education entitled Kenali IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease): Pendang Usus Diseases that Needs Attention.

IBD is a chronic intestinal inflammation disease that causes long-term inflammation of the digestive tract. This condition includes two main forms, namely Ulcerative Kolitis and Crohn Disease, which have different characteristics and complications.

Ulcerative colitis attacks the large intestines and rectums with inflammation in the mucosa layer, while Crohn's disease can appear across the digestive tract with deeper and uneven inflammation.

IBDs often cause symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss for no reason, fever, fatigue, and bloody defecation. Its progressive nature makes early detection very important to prevent serious complications in the future.

"IBDs often appear with very common symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain and cramps, fatigue easily, fever, bloody defecation, to weight loss for no apparent reason," said internal medicine specialist, Prof. Dr. dr. Ari Fahrial Syam, MMB, SpPD, K-GEH, FACP, FACG, in Kuningan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.

With these symptoms, many patients do not realize the IBD disturbances experienced, so the treatment is often late. Late detection of IBD can trigger complications.

Therefore, many patients do not immediately check themselves. In fact, if not treated immediately, this disease can develop into severe complications. Detection of IBD earlier allows patients to prevent complications from occurring," explained Prof. Ari.

In handling IBD, it can include examination of patient history, physical, laboratory, endoscopy, biopsy, and scanning (CT scans and MRI). In addition, there are now various therapeutic options for treating IBD for patients.

Currently, various therapeutic options are available in Indonesia, ranging from symptomatic drugs to definitive therapies, including choice of biological therapy. Therapy such as biological agents can help control inflammation more directedly, but its use still needs to be adjusted to the patient's condition and the doctor's recommendation," he added.

Head of PT Takeda Indonesia, Ulya Himmawati, said that drug innovation is very important for handling IBD. It is hoped that the continuous innovation of drugs and education can further help IBD patients.

"Takeda is committed to becoming a long-term partner for Indonesia through our innovative medicines, as well as ensuring the widest possible access for people in need. We realize this commitment through health education and collaboration with stakeholders to support patients getting the right treatment," concluded Ulya.