The chapter will conduct campaigns to raise public awareness of symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, blood in the stool, abdominal pain and fatigue. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
The Colitis & Crohn’s Foundation of India (CCFI) has launched its Tamil Nadu chapter with a focus on improving awareness, early diagnosis and patient support for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
IBD is a chronic condition characterized by persistent inflammation of the digestive tract, which often leads to fatigue, abdominal pain, reduced physical functioning, and psychological distress. It includes ulcerative colitis, which affects the colon and rectum, and Crohn’s disease, which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract.
P. Piramanayagam, consultant, Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Apollo Hospitals, said at the launch that treatment usually involves drugs to control inflammation, with short-term use of steroids in some cases and surgery reserved for severe disease.
KR Palaniswamy, advisor of the Tamil Nadu chapter, said IBD is often mistaken for minor digestive problems. “It is a serious lifelong condition requiring early recognition and ongoing treatment. India has one of the highest burdens of IBD in South and Southeast Asia, with increasing numbers of cases, especially in urban areas,” he said.
The chapter will conduct campaigns to raise public awareness of symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, blood in the stool, abdominal pain and fatigue. It also plans to promote research, continuing medical education and patient support networks to reduce stigma.
Published – 28 March 2026 05:30 IST
