CONDITIONS
Gastroenterology
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease refers to a range of conditions that cause inflammation in the digestive tract. These conditions include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. While ulcerative colitis is a form of IBD that causes ulcers and inflammation in the colon and rectum, Crohn’s disease causes inflammation in the digestive tract that can spread and cause further problems in the body. Inflammatory bowel disease can be severe and lead to life-threatening complications. The condition is generally characterised by severe diarrhoea, weight loss, fatigue and abdominal pain.
What causes inflammatory bowel disease?
The true cause of inflammatory bowel disease is unknown, however, the condition is linked to lifestyle practices, genetics and immune system health. Smoking, age and certain anti-inflammatory medications are also thought to contribute to IBD. Harmful industrial or chemical exposure may also lead to the disease.
What are the related symptoms?
Inflammatory bowel disease is characterised by abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea and weight loss. Whether your ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, you might also experience blood in your stool, fever and fatigue. Loss of appetite may also occur.
How is inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed?
In order to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease, your physician will need to assess your symptoms and conduct several tests. These tests will involve blood tests, scans and x-rays as well as several medical examinations. A colonoscopy or endoscopy may be performed to identify the presence of ulcers and inflammation too. While a colonoscopy will examine the colon and rectum, the endoscopy will look for signs of IBD in the oesophagus and stomach. You doctor may also take a stool sample to determine if there is blood in your stool.
How is inflammatory bowel disease treated?
Inflammatory bowel disease cannot be cured, but treatment can help you manage your symptoms for better quality of life. Treatment usually involves oral medications such as antibiotics, pain relievers, anti-inflammatories and supplements that combat the effects of inflammatory bowel disease. These medicines work to reduce pain, inflammation and infection while also boosting nutrient deficiencies like iron and vitamin D. You will also be advised to change your diet to eliminate foods that may aggravate IBD symptoms. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to correct ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
While surgery for Crohn’s disease involves the removal and repair of damaged tissue in the digestive tract, surgery for ulcerative colitis requires the complete removal of the colon and rectum. Surgery can be performed to recreate your natural waste collection and expulsion in a method called ileal pouch anal anastomosis. This involves creating a pouch from the small intestine for you to pass stools. This surgery, however, is not always possible and you may need to wear a bag to collect your stool instead after your colon and rectum have been removed.
