Inflammatory bowel disease

Prolonged inflammation results in damage to the GI tract.

Is it IBD different from IBS ?

• Yes , the two diseases are quite different .While  diarrhea is present in both weight loss is seen in IBD and not in IBS
• Bleeding is not seen in IBS but is seen in IBD
• Extraintestinal manifestations like joint pain, eye involvement , itching SKIN involvement is not seen in IBS
• IBS troubles but doesn’t lead to cancer
• IBD can lead to fistulisation
• IBD patients may need surgery in the course of illness while IBS doesn’t lead to complications click to read IBS further  

What are the common symptoms of IBD?

• Persistent diarrhea.
• Abdominal pain.
• Rectal bleeding/bloody stools.
• Weight loss.
• Fatigue.

What causes  IBD?

      The exact cause of IBD is unknown, It is postulated that it could be due to  the result of a weakened immune system. Possible causes are:

• In a genetically predisposed person  immune system responds incorrectly to environmental triggers, such as a virus or bacteria, which causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
• There also appears to be a genetic component. Someone with a family of  history of IBD is more likely to develop this inappropriate immune response.

How is IBD diagnosed?

• A combination of endoscopy (for Crohn’s disease) or colonoscopy (for ulcerative colitis) and imaging studies, such as:
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of small bowel
  • Computed tomography (CT).
• Stool samples. like fecal calprotectin 
• Blood tests. which suggest inflammation like CRP 
• The patient may develop low hemoglobin
• The patient can have various extra intestinal manifestations like joint pains , eye involvement or deranged liver function tests

How is IBD treated?

• Types of common medications to treat IBD:
  • 5-aminosalicyclic acids.
  • Immunomodulators.
  • Corticosteroids.
  • Biologics.
• With newer modalities of treatment the disease can be controlled nicely
• Consult your doctor for details

Do these patients require surgery ?

• The patients with severe colitis may require surgery 
• The patient with Crohn’s disease may develop fever , pain abdomen and may require drainage of abscesses
• Crohn’s disease patients can develop fistulas which may require surgery