Do you have symptoms like frequent stomach upset, bloating that lasts for days, or stomach cramps and possibly blood in your stool? Sometimes we think these are just normal stomach upsets, but if these things continue, it could be a symptom of a condition called inflammatory bowel disease ( IBD ) . Don't be scared when you hear this name. Today, we'll talk about what IBD is, why it occurs, what are the symptoms, how we deal with it, and how we can live well with this condition in a simple way that you can understand.
What exactly is `(IBD)`?
Simply put, IBD is a chronic inflammation of your digestive system, especially your intestines. “Chronic” means that it’s a long-term condition, not a disease that just goes away after a while. When you hear the word “ inflammation, ” you have to remember that just like when we get a cut on our skin, it becomes red, swollen, and painful, the same thing happens in the intestines.
IBD can cause sudden, severe symptoms like stomach pain and diarrhea. We call these “flares.” But IBD doesn’t just affect your gut. It can affect your overall health, your mental well-being, and your daily life.
When you hear that IBD is a lifelong condition that currently has no cure, you may feel sad and scared. That's understandable. But the important thing is that there are effective treatments to control these symptoms. And there are many things you can do to help your life be as normal as possible without letting IBD disrupt your life.
What are the main types of IBD?
Under `(IBD)` we mainly talk about two types of diseases:
| Disease | Description |
|---|---|
| Crohn's disease | Deep ulcers can occur anywhere along the digestive tract (from the mouth to the anus), most commonly affecting the small and large intestines. |
| Ulcerative colitis (UC) | A continuous swelling and sores occur only in the inner layer of the colon and lower rectum. |
How common is IBD?
Millions of people around the world suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The condition can affect anyone, from young children to adults over 65. However, it is most often diagnosed in young people between the ages of 15 and 35.
What are the symptoms of `(IBD)`?
IBD symptoms can be mild for some people, and severe for others. These symptoms don't always occur, they come and go. When symptoms occur, doctors will say you're having an "IBD flare" or "flare-up." When symptoms go away after treatment, they're called "remission."
Commonly seen symptoms:
- Pain in the lower abdomen, as if the stomach hurts when touched (stomach cramps ).
- Blood in the stool. This may be slight or obvious.
- Chronic diarrhea : Having to go to the toilet several times a day.
- Feeling very tired (` Fatigue` ). The body becomes so exhausted that it is unable to do anything.
- Unintended weight loss : Weight loss occurs when you lose weight without trying to control your diet.
What are the causes of IBD? Why does this happen?
Researchers still don't know exactly what causes IBD. But we do know that it happens when our own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in our digestive system. It's like the military defending our country mistakenly attacking its own people. This attack causes the inflammation, swelling, and sores we mentioned earlier.
Researchers are studying several specific genes that are thought to play a role in this. When certain changes (mutations) occur in these genes, the risk of developing IBD increases. These are called “susceptibility genes.” If you inherit these genes, certain everyday things can trigger IBD symptoms. But remember, these things don’t cause the disease, they only make the disease worse and the symptoms worse.
Common triggers for IBD symptoms include:
- Some antibiotics .
- Some painkillers, for example ``NSAIDS – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs`` (e.g. Ibuprofen, Diclofenac).
- Smoking .
- Stress.
What are the possible complications of IBD?
When you have IBD, it can affect not only your digestive system, but also other parts of your body, causing other health problems. Some of them can be severe enough to require emergency medical treatment.
Serious complications that may occur related to the digestive system:
- Colon cancer: People with IBD have a higher risk of developing colon cancer than the general population.
- Perforated bowel: This is a condition characterized by severe abdominal pain, bloating, and tenderness. This is an emergency.
- Toxic megacolon: A dangerous condition in which the large intestine becomes very swollen and loses its function. Symptoms include blood in the stool and severe abdominal pain. This is also an emergency.
Complications affecting other parts of the body:
- Anemia ( blood deficiency).
- Blood clots.
- Eye pain and infections.
- Kidney stones.
- Mouth sores.
- Liver diseases (e.g. cirrhosis).
- Malabsorption and malnutrition .
- Joint swelling and pain (`Swollen joints`).
- Skin sores and rashes.
- Weakening of bones (osteoporosis).
How do doctors diagnose IBD?
When you see a doctor, he or she will first ask you about your symptoms. Then, they will do a physical exam. In addition, they may also do several tests to find out if you have IBD:
- Complete blood count (CBC).
- Capsule endoscopy.
- Colonoscopy.
- CT scan (`Computed tomography – CT scan`).
- Endoscopic ultrasound (`EUS – endoscopic ultrasound`).
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy.
- MRI scan (Magnetic resonance imaging – MRI scan).
- Upper endoscopy.
How is IBD treated?
The treatment for IBD may vary slightly depending on the type of IBD you have (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis). However , the main goal of all treatments is to control symptoms, put the disease into remission, and maintain that remission.
Your doctor will prescribe medications to help reduce your symptoms. In some cases, if medications alone are not enough, surgery may be necessary.
Finally, things to remember
When you receive a diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), you may feel some relief when you know the cause of your days of stomach pain and diarrhea. It can also help to know that symptoms can be controlled with treatment.
However, you may be worried about living with a chronic disease that can come on without warning, and sometimes has uncomfortable symptoms. That's normal. Your doctor knows how IBD can affect your daily life. They can give you advice on how to manage your symptoms and live well with IBD.
The most important thing is to remember that you are not alone and to follow proper medical advice. Even with IBD, you can live a happy, active life. You have the strength and knowledge to do so!
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