After being comatose for six months, Abeer Fadil opened her eyes to find she had been terminated from her banking job. Looking back, she sees the dismissal as a blessing in disguise.
“God sent me the coma to wake me up,” the 42-year-old Iraqi said.
“’Abeer, wake up, yalla, you have to take care of yourself.’ Nothing happens in the world without reason.”
Before slipping out of consciousness at the age of 30, Ms Fadil had experienced chronic abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and incessant fatigue since her late teens.
Whenever she would visit a doctor to report her symptoms, she would be prescribed a tablet and told to go home and rest. It took more than a decade of suffering in silence before Ms Fadil, a lifelong resident of the UAE, finally received a proper diagnosis and treatment for Crohn’s, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the gastrointestinal tract.
“At that time, the Crohn’s was eating my stomach from the inside,” said Ms Fadil.
She has since been referred to the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to be treated by a team of specialists in the country’s first Digestive Disease Institute. Although still in recovery from undergoing surgery three months ago, Ms Fadil is determined to form a support group for other people living with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, another inflammatory bowel disease that affects the colon.
“We are trying to create a help group to help patients know exactly what is Crohn’s and how to deal with it because most of the patients they don’t have any idea about that,” said Ms Fadil. “It will help them know how to deal with this disease and how to take care of it.”
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Read more:
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Although there are no official statistics on the number of IBD patients in the UAE, the prevalence among UAE nationals is believed to be between 2 and 4 per cent of the population and growing, said Dr Zaher Koutoubi, staff physician, gastroenterology and hepatology in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
In the United States, it is estimated that some 1.6 million Americans suffer from IBD, with approximately 70,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
“We see in the UAE a lot of younger patients in their 20s and in their teens with the disease,” said Dr Koutoubi. Young adults between the ages of 15 and 35 are most susceptible, but anyone can get IBD.
“Most of the patients get abdominal pain, they get think they have irritable bowel disease and they tend to actually have inflammation rather than irritable bowel,” said Dr Koutoubi. “We have patients diagnosed with hemorrhoids, but they are misdiagnosed, actually they do have Crohn’s disease.”
About 20 per cent of the cases are due to genetics, but the exact cause of inflammatory bowel disease remains unknown. One possible trigger is an immune system malfunction, said Dr Koutoubi.
“An abnormal immune response causes the immune system to attack the cells in the digestive tract,” said Dr Koutoubi. “This may impair the normal functioning of the immune system and the body’s defense mechanism attacks body’s own tissue causing inflammation of the mucosal lining.”
The inflammation causes “a significant impact” on patients’ quality of life “through ongoing symptoms, reduced ability to work, social stigma, bathroom access, difficulty with physical intimacy, and a restriction in career choices,” according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
Ms Fadil’s goal with the patient support group is in part to tackle the stigma of Crohn’s disease and help sufferers and their families open up about IBD. In her hospital ward, she frequently approaches other patients to encourage them to talk about their condition.
“Sorry for these details – but it’s because it involves stools and these things, they are shy to talk about it,” said Ms Fadil. “Some people they are shy to even say, ‘I have diarrhea.’ OK, why are you shy? Say it, talk! In the beginning, they were very afraid to talk with me and I would say, ‘Why, yanni, we are sharing the same pain, so let’s exchange the information. Whatever new information I have I will give to you, whatever information you have, you give it to me, so it will be easier for everyone.”
Ms Fadil is in the final stages of forming the group, which will eventually be open to any IBD patient in the country. She said the goal will be offer them and their family free access to professional and peer support once a month.
Dr Sara El Ouali, a staff physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, commended Ms Fadil’s courage and initiative in leading the efforts to form the patient support group.
“She is very inspirational,” said Dr El Ouali. “At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi we try our best to give them informational pamphlets, spend time with them, explain to them their disease, but unfortunately a lot of them feel very alone in their disease and they feel like they could be the only ones having this disease and suffering and I think that’s why it’s important to support them.
"Medicine is not just about giving medications and treating the disease, it’s about healing the patient and we need to care for the patient as a whole and make sure that they’re not only well treated, but they also have the support that they need to have a better life.”
For more information about the Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis support group, email AbeerFadil74@gmail.com or call 050-835-8855.
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What is Crohn's disease?
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis belong to a group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel diseases, or IBD. These disorders affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the area of the body where digestion takes phase. The diseases cause inflammation of the intestine and lead to ongoing symptoms and complications. There is no known cause or cure for IBD, but fortunately there are many effective treatments to help control it. If medications fail to control the symptoms of IBD, or if certain complications occur, surgery may be required
Symptoms and complications
Ulcerative colitis involves the inner lining of the colon, while Crohn's disease involves all layers of the intestine and can occur in both the small intestine and colon. Symptoms range from mild to severe and even life-threatening, and include any or all of the following: persistent diarrhea; abdominal pain or cramps; rectal bleeding; fever and weight loss; fatigue; joint, skin, or eye irritations; delayed growth in children.
Treatment
Medications currently available alleviate inflammation and reduce symptoms, but do not provide a cure or prevent long-term complications. Surgery is sometimes recommended when medications can no longer control symptoms, when there are intestinal obstructions, or when other complications arise. An estimated two-thirds to three-quarters of persons with Crohn's disease will have one or more operations in the course of their lifetime.
Source: The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
MATCH INFO
Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
MATCH INFO
Kolkata Knight Riders 245/6 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 214/8 (20 ovs)
Kolkata won by 31 runs
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition
Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James
Three and a half stars
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Company%20Profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Scoreline
Bournemouth 2
Wilson 70', Ibe 74'
Arsenal 1
Bellerin 52'
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Read more about the coronavirus
Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools
Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Company%C2%A0profile
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Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
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The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
Jonathan Cape
