Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD),Types, Symptoms, Risk factors, Diagnoses

IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease, is a lifelong, chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Under some circumstances, the intestines and other portions of the digestive system, particularly the bowels, can swell, become inflamed, and develop ulcers. This inflammation obstructs the body's natural processes of waste removal, nutrition absorption, and digesting. Each person has a unique body type; some have more serious illnesses, while others have milder conditions with less flare-ups. IBD does not currently have a treatment, yet drugs and, in certain situations, surgery may be able to offer long-term symptom alleviation.

IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) Types

There are three types of IBD:

• microscopic colitis
• ulcerative colitis
• crohn's disease

Symptoms

The kind, location, and severity of IBD symptoms can vary. Typical signs of IBD include:

• Diarrhoea, sometimes with blood
• Abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding
• Weight loss
• Urgency to have a bowel movement and fecal incontinence
• Fever
• Anaemia
• Anxiety and depression

When should I visit a doctor?

You should consult a physician if your bowel motions consistently vary or if you experience any of the symptoms or indicators of inflammatory bowel disease. While inflammatory bowel disease seldom results in death, it can occasionally have life-threatening effects. The majority of IBD patients are accustomed to experiencing odd symptoms occasionally, which are occasionally connected to another aspect of the illness. See a gastroenterologist right once, though, if fainting and an abnormal heartbeat are accompanied by other, more dangerous symptoms including losing feeling in an arm or leg.

Causes and risks

These three elements seem to be crucial in the ongoing research to determine why certain individuals get IBD:

Genetics: 

A family history of IBD affects one in four IBD patients.

Reaction of the immune system: 

The immune system typically combats infections. However, in those with IBD, the immune system misinterprets food as alien substances. In an attempt to combat this threat, it creates antibodies (proteins), which causes IBD symptoms.

Environmental triggers:

 Exposure to an environmental trigger can cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in those with a family history of the illness. Among these are depression, pharmaceutical use, stress, and smoking.

Risk Factors

The following are IBD risk factors:

Age:

 Before the age of 30, the majority of IBD patients receive a diagnosis. Some people, meanwhile, do not get the illness until they are in their 50s or even 60s.

Family history: 

Having a parent, sibling, or child with IBD increases a person's risk of developing the illness.

Smoking: 

The biggest risk factor for getting Crohn's disease, an IBD subtype, is smoking cigarettes.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: 

These consist of diclofenac sodium, naproxen sodium, and ibuprofen. These medications may increase the risk of developing IBD or exacerbate the illness in those who already have it.

Complications

Unfortunately, you run the risk of complications and other diseases if you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or take drugs to treat it. Among these instances are:

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Bowel cancer
• Fistulas
• Bile acid malabsorption (BAM)
• Intestinal abscesses
• Slow growth in children
• Osteoporosis
• Intestinal strictures
• Toxic megacolon
• Bowel rupture
• Pyoderma gangrenosum
• Eye disorders
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Joint pain, arthritis and fibromyalgia
• Anxiety and depression

Prevention

While there is no way to avoid IBD, people can manage their symptoms by making dietary changes. Taking care of oneself is the best thing you can do. Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial. The doctor may advise patients to reduce their intake of dairy products or fibre, depending on the severity of their symptoms. Reducing or avoiding alcohol, fizzy beverages, and caffeine is also necessary. You should not only eat healthfully but also obtain enough sleep and exercise on a regular basis. It's also critical to comprehend stress management techniques.

Diagnosis

Get in touch with your doctor right away if you think you may have IBD. To diagnose you, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms. It may be necessary to perform a stool test and complete blood count (CBC) to check for indicators of intestinal inflammation. Additionally, one or more of the following diagnostic tests may be recommended to patients:

Blood examinations:

A lab will examine your blood to look for anaemia, inflammation, and indications of IBD.

Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy:

During a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, a long, thin tube with a lit camera is inserted into the anus by a doctor while you are sedated (not aware). The picture is shown on a screen. During a sigmoidoscopy, the physician looks at the lining of the large intestine's lower portion. A colonoscopy allows the physician to examine a tiny portion of the small intestine as well as the lining of the large intestine. The physician will look for any ulcers, bleeding, or inflammation.

Stool sample: 

Your doctor will send a sample of your stool to be examined for blood infections and other signs of inflammation associated with IBD.

Upper endoscopy: 

The doctor will sedate you and use an endoscope, a flexible tube with a camera, to look at the lining of your stomach, small intestine, and oesophagus. A tissue sample may be taken by the physician during this procedure.

CT scan: 

A CT scan is a method of taking X-rays of the body from different perspectives. In the X-rays, the physician searches for indications of inflammation.

CT or magnetic resonance (MR) enterography:

CT, or magnetic resonance imaging (MR), enterography uses a particular kind of X-ray to examine the digestive tract. Another non-X-ray technique for inspecting the digestive system is an MR enterography. For both procedures, patients are advised to consume a beverage that contains a dye or contrast agent. Using magnetic fields or X-rays, the solution colours the digestive tract to help medical professionals identify areas of concern.

Capsule endoscopy: 

Patients swallow a tiny, pill-shaped camera known as a capsule endoscope. After that, the camera travels through the digestive system. It records video of the small intestine and sends it to a monitor so the physician can view it.

Treatment

IBD treatments could involve

Medication:

 To control their symptoms, the majority of IBD patients use medication.

Surgery: 

This is an option if medicine is unable to control the symptoms.

Actions you can take at home:

 Discuss with your physician what you may do to manage your symptoms and stop flare-ups at home.

alterations to your eating routine: 

Cutting back on or giving up alcohol, avoiding specific meals, and altering other eating routines can all help control symptoms during flare-ups.

Lifestyle Modifications and Self-Care: 

While some food and lifestyle choices may exacerbate IBD symptoms, others may help manage them. To improve the way your symptoms are managed, you could try the following.

• Eat little meals every four to six hours.
• Seek out healthy stress-reduction methods like walking, playing badminton, listening to music, or meditation.
• Make sure you get enough sleep and maintain an active lifestyle.
• Identify the foods that trigger IBD flare-ups by keeping a diet journal. You may find that you have a lactose intolerance or another dietary intolerance. You will feel queasy in the stomach if this is true.
• Minimise intestinal stimulants, such as meals high in fat, fibre, spice, or milk. When flares occur, go for bland, soft foods that cause less inflammation.
• Reduce the amount of alcohol, fizzy drinks, and caffeine you consume. Take in more water to prevent dehydration.
• Give up smoking.

Dos and Don’ts

The foods you consume and how you eat can affect the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Since each patient is unique, no diet is appropriate for every person with this illness. Find out what's best for you by speaking with your doctor. Avoid embarking on any drastic dieting. Find out what healthy lifestyle changes can assist with your particular problem. These are some crucial dos and don'ts to help you manage the unfavourable effects of this illness.

Do’s	Don’ts
Try doing 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise.	Sip carbonated and caffeinated beverages, such pop, coffee, or energy drinks.
Aim for high-carb, low-fat foods.	Consume excessive amounts of dairy products
Steer clear of meals that cause gas.	Consume insoluble fibre.
Consume your medications as directed by your doctor.	Consume fried food.
Increase your water intake.	Eat too much sugar

Control your IBD symptoms to maintain a healthy lifestyle. To properly track your condition, seek therapy as soon as possible and follow up with your physician.