Inflammatory bowel disease is a broad category of chronic or recurring immune response conditions that causes inflammation of the digestive tract.
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the two most common inflammatory bowel diseases. IBD can be debilitating and can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications.
Signs & Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blood in stool
- Reduced appetite
- Unintended weight loss
Causes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Unknown, but heredity plays a factor
- Immune system malfunction is a possible cause
Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Blood tests
- Tests for anemia or infection
- Fecal occult blood test
- Colonoscopy
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Upper endoscopy
- Capsule endoscopy
- Double-balloon endoscopy
- X-ray
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Small bowel imaging
Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Diet and lifestyle changes
- Drug therapy
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Immune system suppressors
- Antibiotics
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Iron supplements
- Vitamin B-12 shots
- Calcium and vitamin D supplements
- Surgery
- Surgery for ulcerative colitis
- Surgery for Crohn’s disease
You can trust the highly experienced, board-certified gastroenterologists at Atlantic Digestive Specialists to provide you with personal care and the latest diagnostic and treatment capabilities. Experts in treating irritable bowel disease, contact us now.
