About Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease affects an estimated 6.8 million people worldwide. This condition has the potential to significantly and negatively impact the lives of those suffering from it.
IBD affects different areas of your body, depending on the specific condition you suffer from. As such, the disease often manifests as a wide range of symptoms.
What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to two unique conditions that are characterized by chronic inflammation of tissues within your digestive tract. These conditions are Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Knowing the exact type of IBD you’re experiencing will help you manage and treat the condition.
What Does Inflammatory Bowel Disease Do?
The effects of IBD differ depending on what condition you suffer from.
Ulcerative colitis results in inflammation and ulcers in the lining of your large intestine and rectum.
On the other hand, Crohn’s disease involves an inflamed digestive system and primarily affects the small intestine.
However, it can also impact the large intestine and upper gastrointestinal tract, so it’s common to find inflammation anywhere from your mouth to your anus.
Symptoms, Causes, Side Effects of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
About Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBD symptoms will vary depending on the type of condition and the severity; some will manifest only in Crohn’s disease but not in ulcerative colitis.
However, there are common symptoms of IBD (present in both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) you can watch out for, such as:
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Blood in stool
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Abdominal pain.
While no exact cause of IBD has been confirmed, it’s thought to be the result of a weak immune system combined with a genetic predisposition.
Forum Health’s Solutions for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
*Some services may not be available at every clinic. Find a nearby integrative medicine clinic for more information.
The IBD treatment at Forum Health targets the root of the condition by strengthening immune function, improving gut health, and reducing inflammation.
A personalized treatment plan may consist of:
- Gut detox
- Supplements
- Elimination diet
- Lifestyle changes
- Advanced medical diagnostic testing
Testing can help determine the underlying causes of the condition and is often the best way to provide relief from the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases. Cultivating and improving your gut microbiome will not only mitigate IBD symptoms but also contribute a host of benefits to the rest of your body
A combination of medication and treatment of the underlying causes of the condition is often the best way to provide relief from the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Learn more about Forum Health's
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment Plans
Inflammatory Bowel Disease FAQs
How Can I Treat IBD?
There are many ways to treat IBD, but the exact methods will vary depending on your specific condition.
A gut detox program can improve your overall gut health while also targeting inflammation and strengthening your immune system. This is often a good starting point and an effective IBD treatment.
Is Leaky Gut Syndrome Real?
Yes, leaky gut syndrome is very real. Although conventional physicians don’t consider leaky gut to be a condition, the truth is that it affects plenty of people.
If left untreated, leaky gut syndrome can cause complications such as asthma, allergies, and skin conditions.
Is Irritable Bowel Disease an Autoimmune Disease?
No, IBD is not officially categorized as an autoimmune disease – though it’s thought to be the result of an abnormal immune response.
What Is the Difference between IBS and IBD?
Despite the similar acronyms, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and IBD are quite different.
While IBD is the inflammation and swelling of the bowel wall and intestines, IBS is a chronic syndrome that impacts the gastrointestinal tract.
How Is IBD Diagnosed?
A mere mention of your IBD symptoms can clue your physician into considering IBD.
Generally, an endoscopy is used to diagnose Crohn’s disease and a colonoscopy is used to diagnose ulcerative colitis.
Other methods may be used where necessary, such as radiography, an MRI, or blood tests.
Schedule an appointment with Forum Health to discuss what personalized treatment plan will work best for you, as well as your needs and your lifestyle.
How Is IBS Diagnosed?
Unlike IBD, there’s no single test to definitively diagnose IBS. Instead, a physical examination, a review of your and your family’s medical history, and other tests can help eliminate other possible conditions that could cause your symptoms.
Is IBD a Disability?
Depending on the severity of your IBD, it can be considered a disability and qualify you for benefits and protections.
If your experienced symptoms of IBD significantly impact your ability to work or maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s even more likely that this will be categorized as a disability.
What Happens If IBD Goes Untreated?
If left untreated, IBD can cause a range of complications throughout the body.
IBD puts you at a greater risk of permanent damage to your intestines, colon cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, and anemia.
Does IBD Get Progressively Worse?
Yes, IBD often becomes progressively worse with time.
There might be brief periods when the symptoms stop manifesting, but they’ll often return with greater intensity. As such, it’s important to treat IBD as soon as possible.
Has Anyone Ever Cured IBD?
Unfortunately, IBD is a lifelong condition.
However, our IBD treatment options are effective at managing the condition so you can live your life without suffering from the symptoms of IBD at all.
