Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) actually references a group of inflammatory conditions of all or part of your digestive tract and is one of the 5 most prevalent gastrointestinal diseases in the United States.

The most common types of inflammatory bowel disease are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis which can both be extremely painful and lead to serious complications. Although the specific cause of IBD is unknown, it is theorized that these disorders are a result of an immune reaction of the body against its own intestinal tissue.

SYMPTOMS

• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Gas
• Diarrhea (containing bright red blood)
• Fatigue •Low grade fever

DIAGNOSIS

To diagnose inflammatory bowel disease your physician may perform a number of different tests to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms. Other causes may include, infection, irritable bowel syndrome, ischemic colitis, and colon cancer. Blood tests, stool samples, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, x-ray, CT, MRI capsule endoscopy and double-balloon endoscopy are all possible methods of diagnosis which your physician may utilize depending on your unique situation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLONOSCOPYLEARN MORE ABOUT FLEXIBLE SIGMOIDOSCOPY.

TREATMENT

The ultimate goal of treatment for inflammatory bowel disease is to reduce inflammation of the digestive system. With the right treatment plan patients may experience improved symptom relief and in some cases, long-term remission. Natural remedies, prescription drug therapy or surgery and normal treatments for inflammatory bowel disease.