Do you know up to 3 million people have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for disorder and chronic diseases involving your digestive tract or gut. As the world is progressing, IBD has become common among people. Most people get their diagnosis of IBD before they reach their thirties.
This blog will help you explore the basics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), its causes, treatment, and risk factors.
What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a condition that includes an intestinal disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. It is often considered an autoimmune disease. IBD is a term that’s used for two conditions:
- Crohn’s Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
These two are considered to be chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
1. Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a type of IBD that causes swelling and pain in the digestive tract. The affected areas for the patients with CD are from the mouth to the anus. Mostly, a portion of the small intestinal areas is affected before it reaches the large intestine. Inflammation triggered by Crohn’s disease comes from the layers of the walls of the GI tract.
2. Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis is a condition that causes soreness and inflammation along the lining of the large intestine, also known as the colon and the rectum. The damaged areas start from the rectum and spread further into the colon. The inflammation starts from the innermost lining of the colon.
Causes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
So, what causes Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)? Its causes are still not unknown; however, scientists are trying to determine what develops this disease. Some of the factors that may cause IBD include the following.
1. Environmental Problems
People with a family history of IBD may get the disease after exposure to environmental issues such as smoking or other medication use.
2. Stress
It is mostly underestimated but stress can also trigger Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). For the treatment of Inflammatory bowel, people with IBD are usually suggested by doctors to control their anxiety triggers to be able to curb the symptoms.
3. Hereditary
One out of 4 people has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) with a family history of the disease, suggesting that there is a key role of genetic component.
4. Immune System Triggers
Our immune system is built to fight the diseases or infections that try to enter our bodies. However, the immune system of people with IBD mistakes food for a useless external substance. As a result, it starts releasing antibodies for the defense that causes strong IBD symptoms.
5. Ethnicity
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is now present in every part of the world. However, according to the research, ethnic groups including white people and Ashkenazi Jews are more prone to developing the condition. IBD rate is also high among the black people of the United Kingdom especially, the youth.
Risk Factors of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
1. Gender
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) tends to affect men and women equally; however, studies show that men and women of 45 years or above are at higher risk of developing IBD. On the other hand, for people with CD, the disease is more common among girls of 14 years.
2. Age
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can affect people at any time but mostly, it starts after the thirties.
3. Smoking
Smoking triggers many health problems including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Smokers have a higher risk of developing IBD symptoms and quitting smoking may improve the overall health of the digestive tract.
4. Non-steroidal Medical Treatments
There are anti-inflammatory non-steroidal medications including diclofenac sodium, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve), and others. These medications increase the risk of the development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or aggravate the pre-existing condition of people with IBD.
Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
1. Lab Tests
To help confirm the diagnosis of IBD, your doctor may suggest you get blood tests to check if there are signs of anemia or infection from bacteria or viruses.
2. Stool Samples
Some lab tests also include stool studies that include a collection of stool samples so that doctors can check if there are parasites or organisms.
3. Capsule Endoscopy
Capsule endoscopy is an endoscopic procedure that takes a small camera that a person swallows. The camera then takes images of the internal body as it travels through the digestive tract.
4. Complete Blood Count
Complete blood count (CBC) is also carried out in which an increase in white blood cell count indicates the presence of inflammation. Moreover, the red blood count and hemoglobin plummet when a person has severe bleeding. Such instances indicate that treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is required.
5. Imaging Tests
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can be diagnosed with a CT scan, a test that takes a close look at the entire bowel and the tissues outside it. Moreover, an MRI scan also helps detect Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) where an MRI scanner uses radio waves to take a detailed image of organs and tissues.
Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
It is pertinent to mention that this disease has no cure but with medical treatment for inflammatory bowel, its symptoms can be assuaged and prevention from complications is possible. Some of the medical treatments for IBD include the following
1. Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
There are some anti-inflammatory drugs that are used against IBD symptoms which help reduce inflammation in the gut and induce remission.
2. Other Antibiotics
Some other antibiotics may also help reduce the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Other medicines such as laxatives, anti-diarrheal drugs, vitamins, and other supplements may also help.
The Bottom Line
The symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) may come and go for some time; however, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take it seriously. Managing this condition is in your hands and you can do this by consulting with your doctor who will thoroughly examine you and give you the treatment for inflammatory bowel.