5 Tips on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

1. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammation of the small or large intestine that may cause these symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Rectal bleeding
• Sharp abdominal pain or cramping
• Intestinal obstruction
• Fever
See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms

2. There are two types of IBD:
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Starts in rectum and spreads upward
• Affects men more than women
• Crohn's Disease
• More patchy inflammation
• Can start anywhere in the digestive tract
• Affects women more than men

3. The cause of IBD is unknown. What is known about IBD includes the following:
• IBD is not Contagious.
• IBD is not caused by diet.
• IBD is not a form of cancer.
• IBD affects young and old alike.
• IBD can usually be treated with medicine but sometimes requires surgery.

4. Diagnosis of IBD is based on:
• Family history, travel history, current medications
• Stool sample to rule out infection
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy and biopsy to rule out cancer and to identify
• IBD
• X-ray studies

5. Treatment of IBD may include:
• Medications to reduce or eliminate inflammation
• Special diet or elemental formula diet
• Surgery

Time is critical. If you suspect IBD, call your doctor

Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice.
For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.

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