Know the Symptoms of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
4/7/2023
Many people today suffer from the uncomfortable GI symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease and generally think it is going to be a something they will begin to experience lifelong. Our gastroenterology specialists in St. Louis, MO want you to know, however, that you don’t have to submit to this discomfort. Assistance is here — and it is closer than you’d think. At Specialists in Gastroenterology, we want to help educate you on your GI issues and provide a range of treatments that will allow you to start enjoying your life.
What exactly is inflammatory bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease is the chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. There are two conditions that you’ve most likely heard of that make up this category — Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. They might just feel like discomfort you have to accept; intestinal inflammation can result in invariable damage to the gastrointestinal tract over time.
Although the exact cause of inflammatory bowel disease is not known, it’s thought to be connected to an unchecked immune system. It is believed that an individual who has IBD has an immune system that may not be reacting to environmental triggers, such as viruses and bacteria, appropriately. It's also likely they may have a family member who has inflammatory bowel disease.
The most common signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease involve:
- Constipation
- Blood in the stool
- Fatigue
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Abdominal pain
- Loose stool
How is IBD handled?
After a diagnosis of IBD, our main course of action is to reduce intestinal inflammation, diminishing as many of your symptoms as possible. There are a variety of treatments we can try, and our goal is that, eventually, you will experience long-term remission. Common treatments include:
- Anti-diarrheal medicines
- Vitamin D, iron, calcium, and other supplements
- Anti-inflammatory medicine
- Dietary changes
Our gastroenterologists at Specialists in Gastroenterology will help you to find a treatment regimen that can meet your needs. It may necessitate a little bit of experimentation to determine the right treatment that helps ease discomfort and intestinal inflammation; however, we will be with you throughout the process to find the best treatment for you.
Help for IBD in St. Louis, MO
Should you have stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, or other gastro symptoms on a daily or weekly basis, it might be IBD. At Specialists in Gastroenterology in St. Louis, MO, our team of board-certified gastroenterologists may be able to help identify, detect, address, and control inflammatory bowel disease and the uncomfortable symptoms that are associated with it. If you are worried you could have inflammatory bowel disease and want to start living life with fewer worries and discomfort, please contact your nearby Specialists in Gastroenterology location to request an appointment.