Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Symptoms And Causes

Inflammatory bowel disease or IBD refers to a group of disorders that result in chronic inflammation, causing pain and swelling in the intestine. The condition of IBD includes Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease. That affects the digestive system. The condition can be managed by consulting the best doctor for IBD treatment in Punjab.

How Common Is IBD?

The condition of inflammatory bowel disease affects all genders and ages, But it mostly occurs in people aged 15 to 30.

What Are The Types Of IBD?

The main types of IBD or inflammatory bowel disease are Cron’s disease and ulcerative colitis. 

• Crohn’s disease: This condition results in causing swelling and pain in the digestive tract. Any part of the body, from the mouth to the anus, can be affected by it. Crohn’s disease usually affects the small intestine and the upper part of the large intestine. 
• Ulcerative colitis: This condition of ulcerative colitis causes swelling as well as sores in the large intestine, which affects the colon and rectum. 
• Microscopic colitis: Causes inflammation in the intestines that is only delectable with the help of a microscope. 

What Is The Difference Between IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and IBS (Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome)?

IBD is a disease, whereas IBS is a syndrome, which is a group of symptoms. The causes and treatments of both conditions differ from each other.
IBS refers to a functional gastrointestinal disease. It affects the functioning of the bowel and can cause them to contract more or sometimes less than usual. IBS is also called spastic colon or nervous stomach.

Unlike IBD, IBS does not damage or inflame the intestines. Therefore, it cannot be detected with images. IBD does not elevate the risk of colon cancer, and only in rare situations does it require hospitalisation or surgery.

Is It Possible To Have Both IBD And IBS?

It is, in fact, possible to have both IBD and IBS at the same time. IBD can cause symptoms of IBS. However, it does not increase your risk of IBS.

What Causes IBD?

Researchers are trying to identify the major cause of IBD. A few factors seem to be playing an important role in causing the condition. These factors are: 

• Genetics: About 1 out of 4 people with IBD have a history of the disease in the family. 
• Immune system response: The immune system is responsible for fighting infections. However, in IBD, the immune system mistakes the food with a foreign substance and releases antibodies to fight off the threat.  
• Environmental triggers: People who have a history of IBD in the family may experience the disease after exposure to some environmental trigger. The environmental triggers may include smoking, stress, depression and use of medication. 

What Are The Symptoms Of IBD?

The symptoms of IBD can range from mild to severe and may come and go suddenly, which can be managed with an IBD treatment in Ludhiana. Symptoms of IBD may include: 

• Abdominal pain.
• Diarrhoea that sometimes alternates with constipation or an urge to poop.
• Bloating and gas.
• Unexpected weight loss or loss of appetite. 
• Mucus or blood in stool. 
• Upset stomach.

Some rare symptoms of IBD may include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Red, itchy and painful eyes. 
• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin rashes, sore and ulcers
• Vision problems

These are some of the symptoms as well as causes of IBD. In case of any symptoms of IBD, be sure to contact your doctor and seek guidance before taking any medications in order to manage the symptoms.