Inflammatory bowel disease or IBD is an umbrella term that describes chronic conditions of the digestive tract. The types of inflammatory bowel disease are:
- Ulcerative colitis- involves ulcers or sores along the upper lining of the large intestine, that involve the colon and the rectum.
- Crohn’s disease- causes inflammation of the digestive system tract lining. It involves deeper linings.
Inflammatory bowel disease can be debilitating, and if not treated on time, can become life-threatening. If you have any signs and symptoms of IBD, you must visit the best internal medicine specialist in Lahore.
What are the Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
The signs and symptoms of IBD vary according to the severity of inflammation that has occurred in the digestive tract. They may range from mild to severe. Most likely, you will have a period of illness followed by periods of remission.
The signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are:
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Abdominal cramps or pain
- Decrease in appetite
- Unintended weight loss
- Blood in stool
What are the Risk Factors for Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Factors that may increase the risk of IBD are:
Age
Most people are diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease before the age of 30. However, some are also diagnosed in their 50s and 60s. It is no such strict correlation between age and IBD.
Race
White people are more prone to inflammatory bowel disease as compared to people of other races.
Family History
Having a family history of IBD can put you at risk of having it too. If your mother, father, or any sibling has it, you may also get it.
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of developing Crohn’s disease. It is a modifiable risk factor. Therefore you must try to quit it as soon as possible.
However, smoking can help prevent ulcerative colitis. But you should not smoke cigarettes in that case because their adverse effects are much more than their benefits.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, and naproxen can increase the risk of developing IBD. They may also worsen the pre-existing disease.
What are the Complications of Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Complications of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are:
Colon cancer
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease affect your colon, causing its inflammation. Therefore they can increase the risk of colon cancer. If you have IBD, you should get yourself frequently screened for colon cancer. For its screening, the healthcare providers perform colonoscopy. You must attend your appointment for screening as it can help detect colon cancer at an early stage.
Inflammation
During IBD flare-ups, inflammation may occur, causing uveitis, skin lesions, and arthritis.
Medications side effects
For inflammatory bowel disease, you need to take corticosteroids. They can cause increased blood pressure, osteoporosis, and other health conditions. You should take corticosteroids for the shortest possible time in the smallest possible dose.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
In this condition, scarring within the bile duct occurs that causes them to narrow down. Due to this, liver damage can occur.
The complications of Crohn’s disease are:
- Bowel obstruction
- Malnutrition due to diarrhea, cramping, and abdominal cramps
- Fistula in the instestine
- Anal fissures- a condition in which a small tear occurs in the tissue that lines the anus
The complications of ulcerative colitis are:
- Toxic megacolon- a condition in which the colon widens and swells.
- Perforated colon- a hole in the colon. Mostly, it is caused by toxic megacolon.
- Severe dehydration due to excessive diarrhea.
Conclusion
Inflammatory bowel disease includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD needs to be managed properly. Otherwise, it can lead to life-threatening complications. For more information, visit oladoc.com.
