Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Symptoms and Treatment
Inflammatory bowel disease, a long-term disease, can result in severe tummy pain or diarrhea.
IBD can affect anyone from young children to adults to older people. However, it mostly affects people aged between 15 and 35.
Currently, it is estimated that over 6.8 million people worldwide are living with IBD, a number that continues to rise.
This blog will provide an in-depth look at IBD, including its common symptoms, potential causes, risk factors, and complications. Additionally, we will explore the various diagnostic methods and treatment options available to help manage and improve the quality of life for those living with this condition.
What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for a group of diseases that causes swelling or inflammation of tissue in the digestive system/gastrointestinal tract (GI).
There are two types of inflammatory bowel disease:
- Crohn’s disease: Sores (ulcers) in your digestive tract. The ulcers can be seen in all parts of the GI tract, typically developing in the intestine.
- Ulcerative Colitis: Swelling and sores in your large intestine, usually starting from the rectum and spreading all over your rectum.
Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease can be mild or severe, depending on how bad the inflammation is and where it occurs.
Here are the common symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):
- Lower abdominal pain
- Blood in your poop/stool
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Unexplained weight loss
What are the Causes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
The exact cause of inflammatory bowel disease is unknown. Earlier, stress and diet were considered the only factors, but now several other factors are also considered as the possible causes of inflammatory bowel disease. These may include,
Immune system: Certain unfavourable changes in the immune system can be responsible for the cause of inflammatory bowel disease.
Genes: several genetic markers may be associated with IBD. Traits of IBD may be passed down from generation to generation. However, most of the time patients do not have any family history.
Environmental triggers: Researchers believe certain environmental factors can affect the gut microbiome, thus increasing the chances of IBD.
Here is a list of certain influencing factors:
- Growing up in a clean environment with few germs.
- Having a stomach infection as a child.
- Taking antibiotics in the first year.
- Being mostly bottle-fed.
Risk factors of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Risk factors of inflammatory bowel disease may include:
Age: Most people are diagnosed with IBD before they’re 30 years old. But some people don’t even get the disease until the age of 50 or 60.
Cigarette smoking: Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for the development of Crohn’s disease.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines: NSAIDs increase the chance of IBD and can worsen pre-existing IBD conditions.
Family history: If you have a family history of IBD, then there will be a higher chance of having IBD.
Possible Complications of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBD is not merely affecting the digestive tract but can also impact the other parts of the body. The complication varies depending on the type of IBD, which can be medical emergencies or serious illnesses.
Complications found in both conditions may include:
- Colon cancer: The prolonged IBD can increase the chances of colon cancer.
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis: The unusual complication seen in IBD conditions, where inflammation causes scarring within the bile duct. The scarring can narrow down the duct and restrict the bile flow, which can eventually lead to liver damage.
- Inflammation: During IBD flare-ups, the arthritis, skin lesions, and eye inflammation can also occur.
- Blood Clots: IBD can result in blood clots in veins and arteries.
- Severe dehydration: Due to too much diarrhea, the IDB can cause severe dehydration.
- Side effects from medication: Certain medications for IBD can increase the risk of infection. Medicines like corticosteroids are also associated with the risk of high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and some other medical conditions.
Complications of Crohn’s disease include
- Bowel obstruction: The IBD can affect the overall thickness of the bowel wall. This may impact the overall flow of the digestive content.
- Malnutrition: Due to diarrhea or belly pain, it can reduce the absorption of nutrients. This causes malnutrition in the body.
- Fistulas: A fistula is a connection between different body parts that does not occur commonly. It occurs when inflammation can extend through the intestinal wall. Also, in some cases, the fistula may become infected and form pus inside it, called an abscess, which will be critical.
- Anal fissure: IBD can also create small tears in the tissues that line up or around the skin of the anus. The chances of infections are high. That’s often associated with painful passing of the stool and may also lead to the formation of the fistula.
Complications of ulcerative colitis include
- Toxic megacolon: The colon rapidly started to get wide and swell, leading to a serious condition called toxic megacolon.
- Perforated Colon: This is caused by the toxic megacolon.
What are the Diagnostic Tests for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
To confirm the inflammatory bowel disease, your doctor recommends various diagnostic tests.
Here is a list of certain diagnostic tests, usually advised by your doctors.
- Blood tests and stool tests
- Endoscopic tests may include colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, upper endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and balloon-assisted enteroscopy.
- X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans as imaging tests.
What are the Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
There are various available treatments for inflammatory bowel disease based on the patient’s condition:
Medication
- Anti-inflammatory: Anti-inflammatory medicines are the first step for treatment. Time-limited courses of corticosteroids are also used; apart from being anti-inflammatory, the steroids are immunosuppressing.
- Immunomodulators: Drugs that suppress the immune response that releases inflammation-inducing chemicals in the body.
- Small Molecules: Medicines given by mouth for the treatment of IBD, such as Janus kinases, also known as JAK inhibitors, that targeted the specific part of the immune system to suppress the inflammation.
- Biologics: A newer therapy that is used to neutralize the proteins that are responsible for the inflammation.
- Antibiotics: This is used with other medications or there’s chances of infections
- Other medical supplements are also given to reduce the symptoms, such as antidiarrheal medications.
Surgery
If changes in diet and lifestyle, medications, or other treatments are not effective. Then, surgery is recommended.
Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis: In this condition, the entire colon and rectum are removed, and then an internal pouch is made that is attached to the anus. This will allow the passing of stool without any bag.
Surgery for Crohn’s disease: Two out of three patients with Crohn’s disease require at least one surgery. This involves the removal of the damaged digestive part and reconnecting it with healthy sections.
Surgeries are also used to close fistulas and drain abscesses.
Also Read:- Top 10 Gastroenterologist In India
Nutrition Strategies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Here are some dietary advice and nutritional strategies to improve your condition from inflammatory bowel disease.
- Prioritize digestible foods, such as low-fiber foods like white rice, cooked vegetables, and lean proteins, to reduce gut irritation.
- Avoid irritant foods like spicy foods, high-fat foods, dairy, and caffeine.
- Drinking water and electrolyte-rich beverages frequently.
- Try a Low-FODMAP Diet: limits certain carbohydrates that can ferment in the gut.
- Add lean protein sources, prebiotics, and probiotics.
- Consult a Dietitian
A note from Medsurge India
If you’re diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, that’s a relief; now you know the exact cause of your severe stomachache and diarrhea. The next step is to consult the best doctor for your condition, as they will guide you on the appropriate treatment plan. If you’re on medication but not seeing improvement, your doctor may recommend surgery as an option to manage the disease effectively.
At Medsurge India, we are dedicated to assisting both domestic and international patients related to their treatment and travel assistance. We are partnered with top hospitals and doctors from different countries like Thailand, Turkey, Malaysia, Egypt, Israel, and many more.
FAQs
Q: Can children have IBD?
A: Yes, children can also develop inflammatory bowel disease. While IBD is more commonly diagnosed in young adults, it can also affect children. Symptoms in children may include diarrhea, weight loss, growth delays, and abdominal pain.
Q: What are the early signs of inflammatory bowel disease?
A: Early signs of IBD can include:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Blood in stools
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
If these symptoms persist, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and management.
Q: Is the surgery an ultimate cure for inflammatory bowel disease?
A: Surgery is not a cure for IBD, but it can be necessary in some cases to remove damaged portions of the digestive tract, especially in severe cases of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. While surgery can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life, it does not cure the disease. IBD is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management.
Q: Is it possible to cure the inflammatory bowel disease just by changing lifestyle and diet?
A: While lifestyle and diet changes can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for people with IBD, they are not a cure. Treatment often includes medication and, in some cases, surgery. A healthy diet, stress management, and avoiding triggers can reduce flare-ups, but it’s essential to work with a healthcare provider for comprehensive care.
Q: What is the difference between Inflammatory bowel disease and Inflammatory bowel syndrome?
A: The main differences between IBD and IBS are:
- IBD is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract and includes conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It can lead to tissue damage.
- IBS, on the other hand, is a functional digestive disorder that affects how the gut functions, but does not cause inflammation or damage to the digestive tract.
IBD typically involves more severe symptoms, such as weight loss and blood in stools, while IBS mainly causes symptoms like bloating, gas, and changes in bowel movements without causing lasting damage.
Reference
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15587-inflammatory-bowel-disease-overview
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316395#causes
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/inflammatory-bowel-disease