Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, is a chronic condition that can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract, in particular the small intestine and colon. There isn’t one single cause, like a virus or bacterium, but genetic factors combined with diet, trauma, or change in gut microbes can provoke an inappropriate immune response that causes the tissue in the intestines to become inflamed.
IBD is an umbrella term that encompasses conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which have similar symptoms. The difference between these two is the location within the GI tract that is affected. These diseases can be cyclical, with patients experiencing “flare-ups,” when symptoms peak, followed by periods of remission with few symptoms. While IBD is rarely fatal on its own, it can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms in sufferers than can reduce quality of life.
1. Diarrhea
One hallmark sign of inflammatory bowel disease is diarrhea, or bowel movements that are loose or entirely liquid. A 2012 report noted that 77% of ulcerative colitis sufferers and 82% of Crohn’s disease sufferers were experiencing diarrhea when they were diagnosed. Diarrhea usually only occurs during a flare-up, but some people with Crohn’s disease may have it even during remission.
When a patient with IBD experiences a flare-up, his or her intestinal tissues become inflamed and can no longer properly do their job of removing water from the waste that passes through. The patient may also experience increased urgency, or the sudden need to go to the bathroom, as liquid material passes quickly through the colon. Different types of IBD can cause different consistencies of loose stools. Since Crohn’s disease affects the small intestine, the resulting diarrhea is watery and contains fats and oils that were not absorbed as they would be during normal digestion. Ulcerative colitis causes diarrhea that is more mucus-like and may contain blood.
It’s important to note that over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications are not designed for people with gastrointestinal disorders, so people with IBD should consult their doctors for more appropriate treatments. Anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, antibiotics, or other medications or dietary changes will provide better relief.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]2. Blood in Stool
Of all the types of IBD, ulcerative colitis is the most likely to cause blood in stools. When the digestive tract is inflamed, ulcers – breaks in the inner membranes of these organs – can cause blood to leak into the waste as it passes through. Because ulcerative colitis particularly affects the colon and rectum, rather than earlier parts of the gastrointestinal system, blood may be more apparent in the stools of people with this type of IBD. When bleeding occurs in the upper digestive system, such as with Crohn’s disease, the stool will not be bright red, but black and tar-like. Severe rectal bleeding is rare, but it can happen.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]3. Abdominal Pain
Fifty to 70% of all IBD sufferers report experiencing abdominal pain during flare-ups, and 20% even feel it during remission. Inflammation of the digestive tract can cause the nerves located within it to become more sensitive, leading to feelings of pain and cramping, particularly in Crohn’s sufferers. The pain may be a sign of an obstruction or abscess, but it may also be caused by eating or general inflammation. Treating the inflammation directly should help to relieve the pain, but in some cases, doctors may prescribe medication specifically for pain control. Opioids must be used with great care because of their effect on the digestive system.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]4. Fever and Fatigue
Fever is a symptom of many diseases, IBD among them. As the gastrointestinal tract becomes inflamed, it can cause body temperature to rise. Approximately 24% of those with Crohn’s disease and 15% of those with ulcerative colitis experience fever during a flare-up. Along with fever can come fatigue, as people experiencing a flare-up often have difficulty sleeping through the night and experience anemia, in which the blood doesn’t contain enough red blood cells to properly carry oxygen throughout the body. Anemia can be caused by, among other things, blood loss or iron deficiency, both of which are concerns for IBD sufferers.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]5. Reduced Appetite
With so many symptoms tied to eating and food, it is no wonder that many people with IBD experience a reduced appetite. About 20% of Crohn’s sufferers and 10% of ulcerative colitis sufferers lose their appetites during a flare-up. This may be attributable to hormonal changes that come with inflammation, or it may be due to the fact that certain medications and nutritional deficiencies can change the way food tastes. Depression, which is known to be linked to IBD, can also reduce appetite, and some patients may develop an aversion to food simply because eating causes them pain. Fortunately, the patient’s appetite usually increases when he or she goes into remission.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]6. Unintended Weight Loss
Loss of appetite goes hand in hand with unintended weight loss. A reduced intake of food will of course cause weight loss, but IBD can also cause malabsorption or diarrhea, which prevent the digestive system from getting enough nutrients from the food that is ingested. Additionally, a flare-up means that the body’s immune system is working overtime, burning calories it doesn’t have to spare. Although there is no list of foods that worsen symptoms in all IBD sufferers, some patients may find that avoiding certain foods can help. However, if they eliminate too much food or the wrong types of food from their diets, they can suffer malnutrition and unintended weight loss.
While there is no cure for IBD, there are a number of therapies that can relieve some of the inflammation. Depending on the severity, doctors may prescribe a number of medications including immunosuppressants to help moderate the body’s immune response and steroids to reduce inflammation. Paying careful attention to nutrition can help reduce flare-ups as well as compensate for the nutrient deficiencies that can occur due to disruption of digestion. There are also new therapies on the horizon, including transplantation of healthy bacteria and stem cell therapy. These treatments are still in the research phase, but look promising.
