Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

About

It is the disorder involving the long term inflammation of the digestive tract. Inflammation may be due to an autoimmune disorder, but chronic inflammation is caused because of the immune system attacks on the body.

It can affect any age group. (1)

Types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
There are two types of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases:
● Ulcerative colitis
● Crohn’s disease

- Not self-treatable
- Not self-diagnosable
- Lab tests or imaging are required
- Long term or chronic: may persist for years

Causes

The exact cause of Inflammatory Bowel Disease is not distinctly known. Possible causes may include:
● Improper diet
● Stress
● Malfunctioning of the immune system
● Hereditary factors

Risk factors
Some of the common risk factors include:
● Age, race, and family history
● Cigarette smoking and nonsteroidal inflammatory medicines

Complications
● Colon cancer, bowel obstruction, and ulcers
● Eye, skin, and joint inflammations as well as toxic megacolon
● Blood clots, severe dehydration, anal fissures

Symptoms

Self-diagnosable: Fever, diarrhea, fatigue, and weakness, abdominal pain, blood in stool, weight loss, decreased appetite

People may experience: iron deficiency anaemia

Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis: some of the commonly used tests for diagnosis are:
● Blood tests: to check for anemia and infections
● Endoscopy: the doctor may suggest endoscopic procedures to examine the condition of intestines.
● X-Ray, CT Scan, and MRI may be recommended to get detailed and more clear images to check for inflammation.

Treatment

Self-care: dietary changes such as reducing the fibre-rich diet, taking frequent small meals, and managing stress may help reduce the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Medicines: the doctor might recommend medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs (to reduce inflammation), immune system suppressors, and antibiotics. Also, anti-diarrheal medicines, pain relievers, iron, calcium, and vitamin supplements might prove to be helpful. In severe cases, surgery may be suggested.

Specialists: for further concern, contact a doctor or a physician. Refer mfine for your better health and optimum treatment plan.