Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Complete Guide to Symptoms and Treatment

What Are the Types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Inflammatory bowel disease includes different conditions that cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. The main types include:

• Ulcerative Colitis
• Crohn's Disease
• Microscopic Colitis

• Diarrhoea, sometimes with blood
• Abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding
• Weight loss
• Urgency to have a bowel movement and fecal incontinence
• Fever
• Anaemia
• Anxiety and depression

• Genetics: One in every four patients with IBD has a family history of the disease.
• Immune system response: Normally, the immune system fights infections. However, the immune system mistakes foods for foreign substances in persons with IBD. It produces antibodies (proteins) to fight this danger, leading to IBD symptoms.
• Environmental triggers: People with an IBD family history may get the condition after exposure to an environmental trigger. Smoking, stress, medication usage, and depression are some of these causes.

• If you experience consistent changes in bowel movements or signs of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), see a doctor promptly.
• Although IBD is rarely fatal, it can lead to life-threatening complications.
• Patients with IBD may have occasional unusual symptoms.
• If symptoms like passing out and irregular heartbeat occur, followed by serious issues such as loss of sensation in an arm or leg, seek immediate medical attention from a gastroenterologist.
• Get the best treatment for IBD from our Gasteroentologists at Medicover Hospitals.

• Blood tests: Your blood will be analysed in a lab to check for inflammation, signs of IBD, and anaemia.
• Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy:Both sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy involve inserting a camera-equipped tube into the anus while the patient is sedated. In sigmoidoscopy, the doctor examines the lower part of the large intestine, while in colonoscopy, they examine the entire large intestine and a portion of the small intestine. The procedure aims to detect inflammation, bleeding, or ulcers.
• Stool sample: The doctor will send your stool sample to be tested for blood infections and other indicators of IBD-related inflammation.
• Upper endoscopy: While you are sedated, the doctor will insert an endoscope, a flexible tube with a camera, into the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach, and small intestine to examine the lining. During this treatment, the doctor may obtain a tissue sample.
• CT scan: A CT scan captures X-rays from various angles around the body. The doctor looks for signs of inflammation in the X-rays.
• CT or magnetic resonance (MR) enterography: CT enterography examines the digestive system using a special type of X-ray. An MR enterography is another method of examining the digestive system which does not use X-ray radiation. Patients are asked to drink a liquid containing a dye or contrast solution for both procedures. The solution colours the digestive tract, allowing doctors to spot troubled regions using X-rays or magnetic fields.
• Capsule endoscopy: The capsule endoscope is a tiny, pill-shaped camera that patients ingest. The camera then passes through the intestinal tract. It captures footage of the small intestine and delivers it to a screen where the doctor can examine it.

• Medicines: Most patients with IBD use medicines to manage their symptoms.
• Surgery: If medication does not manage the symptoms, surgery may be an alternative.
• Steps you can take at home: Talk to your doctor about what you can do at home to help control your symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
• Changes in your eating habits: Avoiding some foods, modifying other eating habits, and limiting or eliminating alcohol may help regulate symptoms during flare-ups.

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Bowel cancer
• Fistulas
• Bile acid malabsorption (BAM)
• Intestinal abscesses
• Slow growth in children
• Osteoporosis
• Intestinal strictures
• Toxic megacolon
• Bowel rupture
• Pyoderma gangrenosum
• Eye disorders
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Joint pain, arthritis and fibromyalgia
• Anxiety and depression

• While IBD can't be prevented, diet adjustments can help reduce symptoms.
• Maintain a healthy diet, which may involve limiting fiber or dairy intake, as recommended by your doctor.
• Reduce or avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
• Get sufficient rest and exercise regularly to support overall well-being.
• Learn effective stress management techniques to cope with IBD symptoms.

• Consume small meals every two to four hours.
• Find healthy stress-management techniques such as meditation, activities such as badminton, listening to music, or going for a walk.
• Get plenty of rest and keep yourself physically active.
• Maintain a food diary to identify foods that cause IBD flares. You might discover a dietary intolerance, such as lactose intolerance. If this is the case, you will experience stomach distress.
• Reduce stimulants to the intestine, such as fibrous, spicy, fatty, or milk-based meals. Choose soft, bland meals that are less inflammatory during flares.
• Limit your intake of caffeinated, carbonated, and alcoholic beverages. To avoid dehydration, drink more water.
• Stop smoking.

• Age: Most patients with IBD are diagnosed before the age of 30. However, some people do not develop the condition until they are in their 50s or even 60s.
• Family history: A person is at higher risk of IBD if they have a family history, such as a parent, sibling or child with the disease.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for developing Crohn's disease, a type of IBD.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications: Include ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and diclofenac sodium. These drugs may raise the probability of getting IBD or worsen the condition in patients who already have it.