Inflammatory Bowel Disease Specialist

What is IBD?

IBD stands for inflammatory bowel disease, a chronic disease that results in inflammation in the digestive tract. Without proper management, IBD can cause permanent changes in the digestive tract tissues as well as serious health issues. IBD can be divided into two basic types:

• ulcerative colitis, which causes inflammation and sores, or ulcers, in the tissue that lines the large intestine (colon) and the rectum

• Crohn's disease, which causes inflammation in the deeper tissues of the small intestine, the colon or both.

Two less common types of IBD include collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis.

What symptoms does IBD cause?

IBD symptoms can be quite severe, sometimes interfering with normal activities and taking a toll on a person's quality of life. Symptoms may include:

• diarrhea which may be bloody at the time

• severe cramping and pain in the abdomen

• fever and chills

• nausea and vomiting

• weight loss

• fatigue

• bloody stools

Why does inflammatory bowel disease occur?

The specific underlying mechanisms of IBD are still being studied, but scientists think the disease is related to problems with the immune system that cause the system to begin to attack the healthy tissues of the digestive tract. people with a family history are also more likely to develop IBD; however, many people with IBD have no family history of the disease.

What treatments are available for IBD?

Currently, there is no cure for IBD, but it can be managed. Before any treatment is given, you'll need to provide a comprehensive personal and family medical history and undergo testing, which can include stool testing, blood tests, colonoscopy or endoscopy, MRI, x-rays or CT scans to confirm the diagnosis of IBD. Once confirmed, treatment will be focused on reducing inflammation with anti-inflammatory medications or immune suppressant drugs. Sometimes, antibiotics are used as well. When these approaches are ineffective, surgery may be necessary.