What is inflammatory bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic conditions that cause inflammation in your digestive tract. This ongoing inflammation can lead to symptoms like belly pain, diarrhea, fatigue and weight loss. IBD is different from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which does not cause inflammation or damage to the digestive system.
The two main types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis:
- Crohn’s disease can affect any part of your digestive tract, from your mouth to your anus. It often causes patches of inflammation that can extend through multiple layers of the bowel wall.
- Ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon and rectum. It causes continuous inflammation and sores or ulcers in the innermost lining of the large intestine.
IBD is a lifelong condition with no cure. But treatments can help manage symptoms and allow you to live a full life.
Inflammatory bowel disease symptoms
Inflammatory bowel disease can cause a range of symptoms that may come and go over time. Many people experience “flares,” when symptoms get worse, followed by periods of remission when they improve or go away.
Your symptoms may vary based on the type of IBD you have and how much of your digestive tract is affected.
Common symptoms of IBD include:
- Stomach pain or cramping
- Diarrhea
- Urgent need to go
- Rectal bleeding
- Tiredness
- Unintended weight loss
- Fever
In kids and teens, IBD can also affect growth and development.
Some people with IBD may also notice symptoms outside their digestive system, such as:
- Pain or swelling in the joints
- Skin rashes or bumps
- Eye redness or discomfort
- Sores in the mouth
When to see a doctor
If you’re having ongoing digestive issues that disrupt your daily life, it’s important to talk with your primary care doctor or a gastroenterologist. Inflammatory bowel disease symptoms can be similar to other conditions, so getting the right diagnosis is key to finding relief and avoiding complications.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce flares, protect your long-term health and improve your quality of life. Start by seeing a primary care provider, who can refer you to a digestive health specialist if needed.
If you’ve already been diagnosed with IBD and notice changes in your symptoms or new signs, let your doctor know. This could mean your condition is flaring or that your treatment plan needs to be adjusted.
Inflammatory bowel disease causes
Experts do not know the exact cause of IBD. Genetics are thought to play a role in Crohn’s disease, but the link is weaker in ulcerative colitis.
IBD is an autoimmune disorder, which means that an inappropriate immune system response plays a role. Researchers believe the immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive tract, which leads to inflammation.
An imbalance of healthy bacteria in the gut may be another cause of IBD.
Inflammatory bowel disease risk factors
Risk factors for inflammatory bowel disease include:
- Age: IBD can occur at any age. It often gets diagnosed in a person’s late teens and 20s, but about 25% of people with IBD develop it by their teens, and another 10% to 15% develop it after age 60.
- Family history: Having a parent, brother or sister with IBD can increase your risk
- Sex: Women have a slightly higher risk of developing Crohn’s disease, but both sexes are at equal risk for ulcerative colitis.
- Tobacco use: Crohn’s disease is strongly linked to tobacco use.
Complications
Many people with inflammatory bowel disease live full, active lives. But without proper treatment, IBD can lead to complications that affect your health and quality of life.
Common complications of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis include:
- Colon cancer: Long-term inflammation in the colon increases your risk. Regular colonoscopies help catch it early.
- Joint, skin and eye inflammation: Conditions like arthritis, skin rashes and eye irritation can occur during flare-ups.
- Medication side effects: Some IBD treatments may raise your risk for infections, bone loss or high blood pressure.
- Liver disease: A rare condition called primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) can cause liver damage.
- Blood clots: IBD increases your risk for clots in veins and arteries.
- Dehydration: Ongoing diarrhea can lead to fluid loss, especially during flares.
- Bone loss: Long-term steroid use may weaken your bones.
Crohn’s disease may also cause:
- Bowel blockage: Inflammation can narrow the intestines and require surgery.
- Malnutrition: Poor absorption and appetite can lead to vitamin deficiencies and weight loss.
- Fistulas and anal fissures: Inflammation can cause abnormal connections or tears in the tissue.
Ulcerative colitis may also cause:
- Toxic megacolon: A rare condition where the colon swells dangerously.
- Perforated colon: A tear in the colon wall, sometimes linked to severe flares.
Early diagnosis, regular monitoring and a treatment plan tailored to your needs can help reduce the risk of complications.
How is IBD diagnosed?
Diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease involves several steps. Your doctor will review your health history, perform a physical exam, order lab tests and imaging, and use endoscopy procedures to look inside your digestive tract. This helps find the cause of your symptoms and rule out other conditions.
Inflammatory bowel disease treatment
Treating inflammatory bowel disease usually requires a combination of approaches. The goal is to reduce inflammation, relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life. Treatment may include medications, lifestyle changes and in some cases surgery if your condition is severe or does not respond to other treatments.
Find specialized care for inflammatory bowel disease
At Baylor Scott & White, we offer several locations for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, including gastroenterology centers across North and Central Texas. Our experienced team is ready to provide personalized care to help improve your quality of life. Whether you're seeking diagnostic testing, treatment options or ongoing support, we are here to help you.
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