IBD (Ulcerative Colitis)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term used to refer to two conditions associated with your gastrointestinal (GI) system. As the name suggests, IBD is characterized by chronic (long-term) inflammation of your intestines. The two conditions that come under IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

What Is Ulcerative Colitis?

With this condition, your large intestine (the colon) gets inflamed. The colon is characterized by extensive inflammation with sores (ulcers) along the superficial lining of the colon and rectum.

What Is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is another inflammatory condition involving the digestive tract. This disease is characterized by inflammation that involves the deeper layers of the intestines. IBD should be treated promptly, as it can become a very serious, life-threatening condition.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms You May Experience?

Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease present with similar symptoms, which primarily include diarrhea and abdominal pain, however, these symptoms are not specific for IBD. Other more specific symptoms that may suggest you have an inflammatory bowel disease can be blood in your stools, reduced appetite, and unexplained weight loss. You may also experience weakness and fatigue because of poor absorption and persistent loss of electrolytes due to diarrhea. Some people experience extreme constipation, as well.

What Are the Causes and Risk Factors of IBD?

The exact cause of inflammatory bowel disease is not known. Some causes that can lead to inflammatory bowel disease include infections, autoimmunity, drugs, and family history. Gut infections can sometimes end up causing inflammation of the digestive tract. Another possible cause could be an overactive immune response to an infection. The excessive immune cell response can damage cells, leading to inflammation. Some other causes can induce inflammation of the colon as an adverse effect. Lastly, if you have a family history of bowel disease, you should keep a check on your bowel habits.

Several risk factors that predispose you to IBD are age (being around 30 years old), being white, cigarette smoking, the excessive use of NSAIDs, and chronic stress.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease should be diagnosed and treated adequately. IBD, if not treated, can lead to serious complications like colon cancer, inflammation in other parts of the body, like skin and joints, blood clots, malnutrition, anal fissures, and perforations in the intestinal wall.

When to See a Doctor

If you experience a persistent change in your bowel along with abdominal pain and blood stool, contact your doctor immediately.

If you want an expert consultation, visit our private clinic in Jamaica Plains, New York. Call us today at (718) 291-0488 or book your appointment to finally find the answer to all your abdominal problems.