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Wellness
IF ABDOMINAL PAIN is a daily occurrence
for you, then you may have something called
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
IBD is the name given to a set of conditions
in which parts of the gastrointestinal tract—
usually the intestines—become chronically
inflamed, triggering abdominal cramps,
diarrhea and even bleeding in the intestines.
The two most common forms of IBD are
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Who is at risk?
IBD most likely springs from a malfunction
in the immune system. Anyone can get
IBD. However, it occurs more often
among: people who have a family
member with IBD;
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Ashkenazi Jews;
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Caucasians; people who live in
northern climates, in cities or in
developed countries.
Smoking also increases the risk for
Crohn’s disease. The affect of smoking
on ulcerative colitis risk is unclear.
Symptoms
“Between the ages of 15 and 30 is
when most people will develop the
symptoms of IBD,” says David R.
DeHaas, MD, medical director of Sacred
Heart Medical Center’s Surgery Institute.
“Although Crohn’s disease or ulcerative
colitis can strike any age group.”
The severity of symptoms can vary
widely, from mild to debilitating. Symptoms
can also come and go—sometimes
disappearing for months or years at a time.
When symptoms return, the person is said to be
having a relapse, or flare-up.
Typical signs and symptoms of IBD include:
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Severe or chronic abdominal pain
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Diarrhea, which may be bloody
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Blood in the stool
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Unexplained or unintended weight loss
Don’t ignore
stomach pains
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Loss of appetite
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Pain in, or bleeding from, the rectum
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Joint pain
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Fever, fatigue
Treatments
If you have IBD, treatment will depend on the
severity of your symptoms. Your doctor may
recommend:
Medications.
IBD medications are used to
reduce inflammation, relieve symptoms and
prevent flare-ups. You may need to take more
than one or try several to see which ones work
best for you.
Surgery.
About 65 to 75 percent of all
people with Crohn’s disease will have surgery
for it at some point in their lives. Procedures
may relieve symptoms but are not a cure.
However, if you have ulcerative colitis, surgery
to remove your entire large intestine may
eliminate your disease. Between 25 and
40 percent of people who have ulcerative
colitis eventually need surgery.
“Only you and your physician can determine
what the best course of treatment is for your
symptoms,” says Dr. DeHaas. “While this is a
serious medical issue, with proper treatment
you can manage your IBD and lead a full and
healthy life.”
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American
College of Gastroenterology; Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office
on Women’s Health
Scan this QR code to learn
more about IBD or join us
for a free seminar from
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
on Tuesday, Oct. 23.
To register for the seminar, visit
www.peacehealth.org/gastrooregon
or call
541-222-3209
.
They may be inflammatory bowel disease
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Health Connection