Inflammatory Bowel Disease Symptoms

Inflammatory bowel disease can be serious for those who suffer from it. Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is a classification that includes two diseases. It includes both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These diseases cause inflammation of the intestines and painful symptoms for the patient. In the United States, there are currently more than 1 million people with IBD.

Causes

• Although the exact cause of IBD isn't known, we do know that it is related to the immune cells. These cells, which are located on the lining of the intestines, ward off bacteria and viruses that come through. In people with IBD, the cells also attack normal cells, which causes inflammation. There is also thought to be a link to cigarette smoking and increased risk of IBD. Genetics can play an important role as well, as 10 to 20 percent of IBD patients have another family member with the disease.

Symptoms

• The most common symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and rectal bleeding. You may also be experiencing an urgency to go the the bathroom and weight loss. Fever and pain often accompany IBD. Some other signs of IBD are sores on the mouth or skin, red eyes or blurred vision and joint pain. With Crohn's disease, you may develop an abscess as infected material is carried past openings in the skin around the anal region.

Ulcerative Colitis

• Ulcerative colitis is a curable disease. The symptoms can include rectal bleeding, urgency to have bowel movements and pain. Though the location and severity of the inflammation can vary by patient, ulcerative colitis is always located in the colon. The inflammation is contained to the inner lining of the intestinal wall. Because of this, surgery can be an option for ulcerative colitis. Surgery would remove the colon and thus remove the inflammation, leading to a full recovery for the patient.

Crohn's Disease

• Crohn's disease is not currently curable, however, it is manageable. Unlike ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease also can be found in the small intestine and the colon. There can be normal areas in between those that are inflamed. These are referred to as "skip" lesions. Complications that can arise that are unique to Crohn's disease: A fistula, which is an abnormal connection between other organs and the intestines; and a stricture, a narrowing of an area. A fistula can lead to abscess, which lead to fever and pain. If a stricture occurs, it can lead to intestinal blockage. This can cause nausea, vomiting and feeling full quickly after meals.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• To diagnose IBD, your doctor will complete a thorough physical. Your blood will be tested for any abnormal signs like high white blood cell count, which can indicate an infection. You may also be asked to submit a stool sample to rule out infection. Usually, the best way to diagnose IBD is through the use of an endoscopy. This allows the doctor to view the lining of the intestinal tract immediately. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis. Medication, such as steroids, may be recommended to help control the inflammation. For both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, surgery is an option if medication can't control the diseases.