Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella term used to describe disorders that cause chronic inflammation of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The pain, cramping and diarrhea caused by inflammatory bowel disease can be challenging to manage and may reduce your quality of life.

At Advocate Health Care, we’ll work with you to develop a personalized care plan that’s tailored for your life and goals. Your multidisciplinary digestive health team may include gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, nurse navigators, registered dieticians, behavioral health resources and support groups.

Our nurse navigators will guide your journey through the care we provide at Advocate. They help coordinate appointments and can answer many of your questions about your health care.

If you’d like additional inflammatory bowel disease resources or assistance in finding care, call 773-296-9401 to speak with our IBD Care Coordination team based in Chicago. IBD Care Coordination has connections to adult and pediatric teams throughout Illinois.

Most common types of inflammatory bowel disease

The two most common forms of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Each causes chronic inflammation in slightly different ways.

Ulcerative colitis is usually limited to the large intestine and the rectum – the end of the digestive tract.

Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract – the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon) and rectum. It’s most often found in the last part of the small intestine, in the large intestine or in both.

Inflammatory bowel disease symptoms

Symptoms of IBD vary depending on which part of the gastrointestinal tract (digestive tract) is affected and may be mild or severe. IBD tends to occur in episodes where you have symptoms for a period and then have a remission period where the IBD symptoms go away for months or even years.

Common IBD symptoms

• Severe diarrhea or constipation
• Alternating diarrhea and constipation
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Blood in your stools (poop)
• Weight loss

IBD symptoms specific to women

• More premenstrual symptoms
• More severe IBD symptoms during periods
• Higher risk of iron-deficiency anemia due to blood loss
• Having trouble getting pregnant

Everyone experiences gastrointestinal (GI) issues from time to time. However, if you or a loved one are experiencing troubling gut pain for more than a few days, it might be indicative of IBD symptoms. Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or a gastroenterologist to find out more.

Is IBD serious?

Inflammatory bowel disease can be very serious and may be life-threatening sometimes. Complications may occur and other symptoms may affect parts of the body besides the digestive tract.

Complications of IBD

Chronic diarrhea may make it harder to eat or may lead to being unable to absorb enough nutrients from food. This may lead to malnutrition and dehydration.

Chronic inflammation may cause your small intestine or large intestine to become narrowed and make it hard for contents to pass through at the narrowed part (stricture). When this happens, you may have decreased appetite, feel nauseated, feel bloated, have abdominal pain or experience vomiting. It can feel pretty miserable.

A fistula may sometimes form with IBD – more commonly with Crohn’s disease. Fistulas are openings that form between two body parts. When IBD causes a chronic abscess in a part of the intestine that touches another organ, the abscess can gradually cause openings in both organs. One example is between the intestine and the bladder, which can cause frequent bladder infections when intestinal bacteria enter the bladder.

Other systems affected by IBD

• Joint pain caused by arthritis
• Mouth sores and skin conditions
• Inflammation of the eyes
• Kidney and liver disorders
• Bone loss
• Delayed growth and puberty (children and teens)

Eye, skin and joint problems often occur at the same time.

People who have IBD may be more likely to have anxiety and depression – especially while they’re having active IBD symptoms. IBD doesn’t cause mood disorders, but it’s still important to let your doctor know if you have them. Treatment is available.

Inflammatory bowel disease causes

We don’t know what causes IBD, but we’ve discovered patterns that may lead to the discovery of a cure. Most people develop it between the ages of 15 and 35. It’s more common among White people and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

Other inflammatory bowel disease risk factors:

• Genetics
• Immune system problems
• Environment
• Balance of bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi in intestines

Differences between IBD and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome both have similar symptoms of diarrhea, cramping and pain. But inflammatory bowel disease can cause harmful inflammation and permanent harm to the intestines. The inflammation can be clearly seen in imaging. Complications may require surgery to repair or remove the sections of your digestive tract that are damaged. IBD also increases your risk for colon cancer.

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome aren’t as destructive. It doesn’t increase colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease risk. It rarely requires surgery or hospitalization, and its effects can’t be seen on diagnostic imaging.

Inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis

Treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will ask about your medical a history, perform a physical exam and may order the following tests:

• Double-contrast barium enema X-ray – an enema with radioactive barium in it coats the lining of the bowels to make the rectum, colon and part of the intestine show up on X-rays
• Blood tests
• Colonoscopy – uses a colonoscope (long tube with a tiny camera on the end) to view the intestines and rectum
• Capsule endoscopy – you swallow a capsule that contains a tiny camera that takes pictures of your digestive tract
• Double balloon endoscopy – uses an endoscope (long tube with a tiny camera on the end) inserted down the throat to view from the esophagus to the colon
• MRI and CT scans
• Sigmoidoscopy – a flexible tube with a tiny camera inserted through the anus examines the lower colon and rectum
• Stool testing – checks for blood in your stool and finds any viral, bacterial or parasitic infections

Inflammatory bowel disease treatments

Our digestive health team conducts regular multidisciplinary case conferences to discuss individualized treatment plans for everyone we see. IBD specialists throughout Chicagoland, including gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, pathologists and nurses collaborate to optimize the best care plan for you.

Inflammatory bowel disease treatment involves trying to minimize the chronic inflammation in your digestive tract to make your symptoms go away and avoid complications. We may start with medications such as:

• Anti-inflammatory meds
• Antibiotics
• Antidiarrheals
• Immune system suppressor meds
• Iron, calcium and vitamin supplements
• Laxatives
• Pain-relieving meds

Nutrition may need to be provided through a feeding tube or an IV to treat malnutrition or dehydration and give your intestines time to heal.

If medications don’t help or if you develop complications, surgery may be recommended to repair or remove damaged parts of your digestive tract.

Self-care for inflammatory bowel disease

Decrease stress in whatever way you can. Light exercises may help you feel less stressed and improve your sense of well-being. Vigorous exercise should be avoided.

Improving your nutrition can’t cure inflammatory bowel disease. But you may find that some foods make your symptoms worse. You can keep a record of what you eat and the severity of your symptoms to get an idea of what foods you may want to avoid. Here’s a list of some of the most common foods to consider avoiding: