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WHAT IS IBD?
IBD or Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the GI tract. When you have IBD, your body reacts to different trigger events by wreaking havoc on your bowels. This can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms that aren’t always limited to your digestive system.
IBD is classified as an autoimmune disorder, which is another way of saying that your body produces an unhealthy immune response to your own cells.
IBD is an umbrella term for a group of disorders characterized by GI inflammation. The most common types are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. While both of these can cause similar symptoms, the two are very different. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between them:
CROHN’S DISEASE
Crohn’s diseasecan affect any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus and can occur in different areas of the digestive tract.
Some of the more common symptoms of inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease include:
Severe diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Fever
Fatigue
Outside of the digestive system, other symptoms can include:
Anemia
Arthritis
Inflammation of the eye
Skin rashes
People with Crohn’s disease may experience just a few or many of these symptoms, and they may be mild in some or severe in others. It’s important to note that they can change in each person over time, and some people may even go into periods of remission where they experience no symptoms at all.
The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, but it’s thought that a virus or bacteria may trigger the disease. It is also more common in people who have a family history of the condition. Most people with Crohn’s disease are diagnosed before the age of 30.
ULCERATIVE COLITIS
While Crohn’s disease may affect any part of the GI tract, ulcerative colitis occurs when the lining of the colon (your large intestine) or the rectum becomes inflamed. When the inflammation occurs, small ulcers are formed on the lining of the colon.
The inflammation of the colon and/or rectum can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, including:
Frequent need to empty your bowels
Loose stool
Rectal bleeding or pus
Abdominal pain
Fever
Weight loss
Outside of the intestine, there are a number of additional symptoms you may also experience:
Burning, redness, itching and other problems of the eyes
Mouth ulcers and sores
Skin conditions, including nodules or lesions formed on the legs
Joint conditions, including various types of arthritis
Liver conditions, including inflammation of the bile ducts
Certain blood and endocrine disorders
Ulcerative colitis is typically diagnosed before 35 but can occur at any time. It’s a progressive condition that can worsen with age and is thought to develop due to an overactive immune system.
There is a whole range of digestive disorders, many of which have very similar symptoms. If you’ve been searching online for solutions to what you’ve been experiencing, it wouldn’t be surprising if you’ve gotten confused between the differences between Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Celiac Disease. The fact that IBD and IBS have such similar acronyms doesn’t help any, either! With that in mind, here are a couple of key points to keep in mind:
IBD is NOT IBS. The key difference between these two conditions is right in the name: Inflammatory Bowel Disease has to do with inflammation in your digestive tract, while Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not. Because of this fundamental difference between the two conditions, treatment for each of them can be very different.
IBD is NOT Celiac Disease. Like IBD, Celiac Disease actually does involve inflammation of the digestive tract. But it’s triggered very specifically, through the consumption of gluten. Eliminate gluten from your diet and you’re likely to see the symptoms disappear. (Though it may take a few months before you truly feel back to normal.) (3)
Note that many patients self-diagnose themselves as being gluten intolerant. However, without a professional’s insight, they may not be doing themselves as much good as they’d like. That’s because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions with different – and potentially more effective – treatment options.
To best understand what you have and find a treatment path that’s right for you, you’ll want to consult a physician. Only a doctor who understands these conditions – including their similarities and differences – can properly diagnose you and suggest a path forward.
How Common Is IBD?
Both Crohn’s disease and UC are typically diagnosed in younger adults or teens. However, the disease can strike anyone at any time and it is often hereditary. According to the Center for Disease Control, an estimated 3 million US adults have IBD, which represents about 1.3% of the total population.
There also seems to be an association between IBD conditions and other chronic diseases. Adults with IBD are more likely to have a number of other disorders than those who don’t have IBD. This can include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, ulcers, and more.
The physical symptoms of IBD and the severity of these symptoms can vary for everyone. And, they can differ based on whether you have Crohn’s disease or UC. Some may trouble you every day, while others may go away for months or even years before recurring.
However, there are some common symptoms of both forms of IBD. These include:
Diarrhea or loose stools
Blood in the stool
Weight loss
Fatigue
Fever
Abdominal pain. This can sometimes be intense and may affect many different parts of your body. Some may feel it in different areas of their abdomen, others in their back, and others may feel it in their joints.
There are also IBD-associated conditions outside of the digestive tract. Some of these conditions can be dangerous or debilitating, including eye, skin, joint, liver, and blood problems.
To learn more about the specific symptoms of your condition, click below:
Patients with IBD often experience emotional symptoms in addition to their physical symptoms. Anxiety about when they may have an attack, worries about their appearance and general frustration and depression around their inability to enjoy everyday activities can affect people with IBD. Learn more about the emotional challenges people with IBD face in this video.
WHAT CAUSES IBD?
While it’s unknown why IBD occurs, it is thought that it may be triggered by an irregularity in the immune system and how it responds to bacteria, viruses, or certain foods.
Heredity also plays a role in IBD, as it’s been found that people who have a close family member with IBD may also develop the condition.
IBD is typically diagnosed before someone reaches the age of 30, and it is more common in Caucasians and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
Other risk factors for IBD include where you live (people in urban areas are more likely to be diagnosed with IBD), taking certain medications, such as anti-inflammatories, and smoking. Smoking is associated with Crohn’s disease.
HOW IS IBD DIAGNOSED?
IBD can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms vary for everyone. In addition, many other conditions have similar symptoms so it can be hard to determine that IBD is the cause.
There are many different types of tests that your doctor may perform to properly diagnose IBD. These include blood tests, endoscopic procedures or exams, or imaging procedures to get a better look at the colon and tissues of the bowel. Here are some of themost common diagnostic toolsyou’re likely to encounter:
Tests for Anemia or Infection – Simple blood tests can detect whether you have a deficiency in oxygen-carrying red blood cells or if you have an infection that may be causing problems.
Stool Studies – Your doctor may test a stool sample to see if you have any irregularities in your stool, including blood or parasites.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy – This is a procedure where your doctor will use a thin lighted instrument to examine your rectum and sigmoid, which is the last part of your colon. This test may be performed in place of a full colonoscopy for patients who have significant inflammation.
Colonoscopy – A thin tube with a camera will be used to examine your colon for any signs of disease, and small tissue samples may be taken to further diagnose your condition.
Upper Endoscopy – Here the doctor will use a flexible, lighted instrument to examine your upper gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach and first part of your small intestine. This type of test is most common on patients who are experiencing nausea, vomiting, difficulty eating or pain in the upper abdomen.
Capsule Endoscopy – This is a procedure that may be performed if your doctor suspects Crohn’s disease related to your small intestine. The patient swallows a tiny capsule with a camera inside it (don’t worry – you’ll pass it as part of a normal bowel movement without any discomfort), and the images are used to develop a diagnosis.
Balloon-assisted Enteroscopy – In this procedure, the doctor uses an instrument to examine portions of your small bowel that are usually out of reach with other forms of examination.
X-rays – An x-ray of your abdomen may be helpful to rule out certain serious conditions like a perforated colon.
CT Scans – This imaging procedure can provide a detailed picture of your entire bowel and surrounding tissue. When particularly accurate images of the small bowel are needed, a type of CT scanning called CT enterography may be ordered.
MRIs – Magnetic Resonance Imaging is especially beneficial when it comes to examining organs and tissues around the anal area or in the small intestine. One benefit these offer over CT scanning is that there is no exposure to radiation.
IBD can take some time to diagnose, and your doctor may recommend that you see a gastroenterologist (a doctor specializing in the digestive tract) if he or she suspects that you have inflammatory bowel disease.
Keeping a diary of your symptoms can help your doctor better understand what you’re experiencing and may help in recommending the tests needed to diagnose IBD.
There are many approaches to treating IBD, and the path that you take will depend on your particular condition, your symptoms, their severity, and other factors. It’s important to remember that treatment on your own isn’t likely to generate much success. Success is going to require the expertise of a professional, so don’t wait before seeking a doctor’s help.
Diet Changes
For many people, a good place to start is by altering their diet and lifestyle. That’s because certain foods can cause flare-ups, and avoiding those foods can help prevent symptoms.
For example, many IBD patients find that symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and gas can be improved with certain dietary changes, particularly the elimination of dairy products. As many as 30 million Americans are lactose intolerant and are unable to properly digest the sugar in dairy products. (1) That’s especially true among Asian, African American, and Native American populations. The use of specialty dairy products or supplements like Lactaid can dramatically improve their ability to digest and enjoy dairy.
Dairy isn’t the only culprit, either. While everyone is affected differently, other foods that have been found to cause digestive problems for many include high-fat foods, spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine. High-fiber foods can also worsen symptoms of IBD for some. Keeping a food diary can be helpful in identifying foods that trigger your IBD symptoms.
MULTIVITAMINS
Multivitamins may also play a role in your treatment. Those who suffer from digestive disorders often don’t absorb nutrients as well as they should. This can be compounded by limited or restricted diets.
Supplementing with vitamins and minerals can be a helpful way to ensure that your body is getting everything it needs. You should always check with your doctor first. Remember, not every vitamin is right for every patient.
QUIT SMOKING
Smoking can also increase your risk of IBD, or make symptoms worse, so if you’re a smoker, it’s another great reason to quit.
We all know that quitting isn’t easy, but there are more products, programs and support systems available than ever before to help you kick the habit.
REDUCE STRESS
Many also believe that stress can aggravate IBD symptoms. Finding ways to reduce stress, such as meditating and adhering to a regular exercise routine, is also often recommended. An added bonus is that, alongside whatever benefit they provide for your IBD, these practices will help you live a healthier, happier life overall.
MEDICATIONS
When it comes to medications, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drugs are often used for IBD. In fact, anti-inflammatories are often the first treatment prescribed, and they have a good track record of helping many sufferers. There are a number of medications your physician may consider. The one that he or she prescribes will likely depend on your particular symptoms and which area of your colon is affected.
Immunosuppressants. These work on your immune system by reducing your body’s production of chemicals that promote inflammation. These medicines are often beneficial to those living with bowel disorders because those inflammatory chemicals can damage the lining of your digestive tract. By suppressing them, you may be reducing a direct source of irritation.
Biologics. Another type of therapy that you may be presented with involves the use of biologics. They’re a relatively new class of treatment, but they’ve also been found to be very effective for many. The way they work is by neutralizing the activity of certain proteins that can produce inflammation. They’re typically administered either by injections that you can administer yourself – and we promise it doesn’t hurt! – or by intravenous infusion that can be performed in your doctor’s office.
Anti-diarrheal medications are also commonly used to help bulk up stools.
Pain killers like ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and diclofenac may be used to deal with mild discomfort. Keep in mind that some of these medications can actually exacerbate your symptoms. You’ll want to monitor your response to them closely to see if they’re making things worse. This is not an exhaustive list of the treatments you may be presented with.
There are many options available that can vary by your symptoms, your current health status, and other factors including things like surgery for those who aren’t finding success with medication, diet, and behavioral changes.
TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR
If you have noticed any of the symptoms listed above, talk to your doctor about your concerns. He or she may refer you to a specialist to treat your symptoms and to perform the necessary tests to determine if you do in fact have IBD.
Your doctor will want to hear about all your symptoms, any changes in medication, and any stressful life changes that may have recently happened. Be sure to write down all your questions before your visit so that you don’t forget them during your appointment.
To make sure you don’t overlook anything important during your consultation, take a couple of minutes to write down the following information so you can be certain that you’ll review it in person:
Your symptoms. List anything that you believe may be a symptom of your condition, including how severe it is and how long you’ve been experiencing it. Even things that don’t seem like they’re obviously related to IBD are worth taking note of, because the disease can affect many biological systems, including your skin, mouth, eyes, joints, liver and more.
Your medications. List all of the medications you’re taking. This doesn’t only include prescriptions; be sure to include any vitamins or supplements you’re taking, too.
Questions for the doctor. It’s easy to get flustered during an appointment, so writing out the following questions is a good way to ensure that you don’t forget to ask them:
What could be causing these symptoms?
What tests do I need to take?
Is this a temporary condition or something that may last a while? If so, how long does it usually last?
Are there things I can do on my own to help improve my condition? Diet, exercise, or behavioral changes that might make a difference?
What treatment options are available to me?
With medications and other therapies, are there side effects?
What results do these treatments usually produce?
IBD can be a difficult condition to live with, but by talking to your doctor and finding treatment, it can be managed.
Need help finding a specialist near you? Try ourdoctor finder!
Inflammatory Bowel Disease – also known as IBD – can occur when you have abnormal inflammation in your GI tract, producing digestive symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain, as well as other symptoms such as fever, fatigue, anemia, arthritis, rashes, eye issues and more. If you suffer from IBD, professional treatment can make a meaningful difference in your life.
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