What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Causes & Treatment Options

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a general term to define chronic conditions that result in persistent gastrointestinal (GI) tract inflammation. These conditions can cause sudden flare-ups, resulting in symptoms such as severe abdominal pain and frequent diarrhea. However, the impact of IBD extends beyond the digestive system — it can influence your physical health, emotional state, and mental well-being as well.

Although IBD mainly affects the digestive tract, it can also drain energy, disrupt mood, and interfere with everyday life.

If you want to gain a deeper understanding of this disease, continue reading!

What are the Types and Effects of  Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes several disorders that lead to ongoing inflammation within the digestive tract. It occurs when your immune system continues to have flare-up attacks that damage your gut.

While some experts classify IBD as an autoimmune disorder—where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues—others have differing views. That's because there's some evidence that indicates the immune system is reacting against harmless bacteria or microbes in your gut rather than the gut tissue itself. Either way, the result is inflammation that damages your bowels.

There are two broad forms of IBD:

1. Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation that leads to sores and swelling within the colon (large intestine) and the rectum, which is the final section of your digestive system. It most often begins in the rectum.
2. Crohn's disease:Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, starting from the mouth and extending to the anus. However, it most commonly affects the end portion of the small intestine, the colon, or both.

Both are chronic illnesses, but the symptoms recur and may be severe or mild. Lifestyle modification and medication can enable you to cope with inflammatory bowel disease.

What Causes Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) happens when immune cells in the gastrointestinal tract mistakenly attack healthy tissues, leading to inflammation that causes conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The exact cause is unclear, but researchers are studying genetic mutations that typically:

• Regulate your immune system to keep it from overreacting when it detects intruders.
• Affect your mucosal barrier, which is your first line of protection in your intestine.
• Regulate bacteria growth in your intestine.

When these genes undergo mutations (changes), your likelihood of developing IBD may rise. Scientists often refer to these as susceptibility genes. Over 160 such genes have been identified. Inheriting any combination of them can make you more vulnerable to experiencing IBD symptoms when exposed to certain everyday factors. While these activities don’t directly cause the disease, they can act as common triggers.

Common triggers of IBD are:

• NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
• Cigarette smoking.

Scientists are also investigating whether problems with your gut microbiome could be a cause of the persistent inflammation that leads to IBD.

What are the Treatment Options Available for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

There is no cure for IBD yet, but treatment aims at alleviating symptoms, inducing remission, and preventing complications. The major treatments are medication, surgery, and lifestyle changes.

1. Medications

The treatment starts with fewer drugs and goes on to more powerful treatments if needed.

• Anti-inflammatory medications (5-ASAs): Often the first treatment option, they minimize inflammation in the digestive tract and aid remission.
• Corticosteroids: Typically used short-term to manage flare-ups when 5-ASA medications are not effective. They are avoided in long-term use because of their side effects.
• Immune suppressors: These medications suppress the immune system so it won't attack the digestive system. They can take three months to be effective and make a patient susceptible to infections.
• Biologic agents: Pharmaceuticals produced in the lab are explicitly targeted against specific inflammatory processes. Useful in moderate to severe IBD.

Other medications which can control symptoms:

• Antibiotics: Used to treat infections or abscesses that may develop.
• Antidiarrheals and laxatives: For symptom relief.
• Vitamin and mineral supplements: Correct deficiencies caused by malabsorption or dietary restrictions.

2. Surgery

Surgery is undertaken when medications have failed, or complications have developed.

• Ulcerative colitis: Some patients may need removal of the colon and rectum, often resulting in a stoma or an internal pouch.
• Crohn’s disease: May require the removal of damaged sections of the intestines, treatment for strictures (narrowing), or fistula repair.

Surgery cannot cure Crohn’s disease, but it can help ease symptoms.

3. Lifestyle & Dietary Changes

Lifestyle changes are a key part of controlling IBD symptoms and avoiding flare-ups.

Dietary Recommendations:

• Keep track of which foods worsen your symptoms.
• Avoid dairy products, saturated fats, hot food, caffeine, and alcohol.
• Exclude a high-fiber diet (raw vegetables, unrefined grains) during active inflammation or with the presence of strictures.
• Hydrate well and use nutritional supplements to avoid deficiency.

Management of Stress:

Stress may worsen IBD symptoms. Effective coping strategies include:

• Routine exercise
• Meditation and relaxation
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Participation in hobbies or relaxing pursuits

Treatment of IBD includes a broad, individualized strategy that brings together drugs, surgery if necessary, and management of daily life. Coordination with a healthcare provider and prudent lifestyle decisions can significantly influence the lives of patients with IBD.