Inflammatory Bowel Disease an Unforeseen Disarray

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Many diseases and conditions can affect the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. One of the inflammatory conditions in which the body's own immune system attacks the parts of digestive system is the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Inflammatory Bowel Disease). India is projected to have the highest Inflammatory Bowel Disease burden across the globe.

What are the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease?
The two most common inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC), characterized by chronic inflammation of Gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's Disease can affect any part of the Gastrointestinal tract, but it frequently affects the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. The inflammation in Crohn's Disease can affect all layers of the intestinal lining. Ulcerative Colitis, on the other hand is characterized by inflammation in the large intestine (colon) and the rectum. The inflammation in Ulcerative Colitis occurs only in the innermost layer of the intestinal lining.

Prolonged inflammation results in damage to the Gastrointestinal tract. The exact cause of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis remains unknown. Researchers believe that several factors, such as a family predisposition and a faulty immune system, play a role in their development.

What is the Cause of Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
The exact cause is unknown, but it is the result of a defective immune system. A properly functioning immune system attacks foreign organisms, such as viruses and bacteria, to protect the body. In Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the immune system responds incorrectly to environmental triggers, mistakes harmless substances in the intestine as foreign and launches an attack, resulting in inflammation of the Gastrointestinal tract. There also appears to be a genetic component; someone with a family history of Inflammatory Bowel Disease is more likely to develop this inappropriate immune response.

What are the complications of inflammatory bowel disease?
Some people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease may experience complications, including deep ulcerations, bowel obstructions, infections and malnutrition. Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease are also at an increased risk of colon cancer. However, many people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease find that with proper treatment and lifestyle changes, they can live normal, fulfilling lives.

What are the risk factors for developing inflammatory bowel disease?
Age Can occur at any age, but often, people are diagnosed between the age of 15 and 35
Gender Affects men and women equally
Ethnicity More common among Caucasians, but it can affect people of any racial or ethnic group
Family history As many as 1 in 5 people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease have a first-degree relative (parent, child or sibling) with the disease
Cigarette smoking smokers are more likely to develop Crohn's Disease.

How do you know if you have inflammatory bowel disease?
It is diagnosed using a combination of endoscopy (for Crohn's Disease) or colonoscopy (for Ulcerative Colitis) and imaging studies, such as Contrast Radiography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or Computed Tomography (CT scan). Physicians may also check the stool sample to make sure symptoms are not being caused by an infection or carry out blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. Stool tests are also performed to check for the signs of inflammation in the Gastrointestinal tract.

How do you get rid of inflammatory bowel disease?
During periods of disease flare-ups, eating may cause abdominal discomfort and cramping.
Here are some ways to reduce these symptoms
Eat smaller meals at more frequent intervals
Reduce the amount of fried foods
Watch the amount of milk consumed
Restrict the intake of certain high-fiber foods
Eliminate any food that make symptoms worse

There is no cure for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, but symptoms can be controlled. Timely medication and lifestyle modifications must be followed. Severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease may require surgery to remove damaged portions of the Gastrointestinal tract.

Let's begin an Early fight against this Scourge.. Awareness Matters