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Kansas City's Premiere Digestive Health Specialists
Request An Appointment
816-836-2200
Kansas City's Premiere Digestive Health Specialists
Inflammatory Bowel Disease, better known as IBD, is linked to complications in the immune system. Currently effecting over a million Americans, research is still being done to identify the exact causes of IBD disorders. Each year, more and more people are diagnosed with an IBD disorder. Clinical trials for IBD are also gaining steam as they provide patients with innovative treatment options.
Inflammatory Bowl Disease occurs when reoccurring irritation causes inflammation in the intestines. There are two main types of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Inflammatory Bowl Disease is very treatable and often people who suffer from IBD can still maintain an active lifestyle. Medical diagnoses followed by medication can help in getting IBD under control and preventing unexpected flare-ups.
Often Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis can be hard to distinguish between because they share similar symptoms such as swollen tissue in the colon and rectum, frequent diarrhea, and sores or ulcers in the intestines.
The number one symptom of Ulcerative Colitis is intestinal inflammation, causing painful sores and cramps. There are five main forms of Ulcerative Colitis and each is defined by where in the intestines the inflammation occurs. The symptoms range from inflammation just at the opening of the rectum to having inflammation occur in the entire colon.
Symptoms for Crohn's Disease can vary from person to person. Crohn's disease differs from Ulcerative Colitis because Crohn’s Disease causes inflammation in one remote area of the intestines, closer to the end near the colon.
Bleeding from the rectum or during a bowel movement, fatigue, and weight loss can also be symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Since Inflammatory Bowel Disease effects the intestines, the best way to determine if you have an IBD is colonoscopy. Both Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis can be diagnosed by where the inflammation occurs in the lower GI (gastrointestinal tract). To identify the exact location of inflammation, our physicians perform a colonoscopy to take an in-depth look at the large intestine.
A colonoscopy is a test where a doctor examines the entire large intestine for signs of inflammation or polyps. A colonoscopy is also used to screen for colon cancer. During a colonoscopy, a patient is comfortably sedated while a doctor examines the bowel with a thin, lighted camera that zooms into the colon walls. The patient is under anesthesia and will not be aware of the surroundings during a colonoscopy, nor experience any pain during the procedure.
A family history of a bowel disorder can increase the risk of IBD. However, it is estimated that only about 15% of Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients have a family history of the disease.
Unlike some conditions, men and women are at equal risk of having IBD and Caucasians are the most likely to be at risk. Smoking, eating fatty foods and living in certain geographical locations have been linked to IBD disorders.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of IBD or have a medical or family history with the disease, it is recommended that you consult a doctor immediately for screening and treatment
