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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not to be confused with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Many people commonly consider IBS as part of IBD, which is not so. An autoimmune reaction can cause inflammation in the GI tract. That is why Crohns disease is considered an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). When the body is exposed to harmful invaders, like harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc., a normally functioning immune system gets activated. But in IBD the immune system is overreacting even without "the invaders". During this process, the white blood cells get together in the intestinal tissues to cause chronic inflammation, which sometimes leads to ulcerations.
Chronic Inflammatory bowel disease increases your chance of having intestinal cancer or cancer of the colon. But don’t panic, most patients do not get cancer. When I discuss medications-free life with my doctor he gets concerned. Because he treats according to medical studies. The studies say that the risk of cancer would increase with age and with the severity of inflammation. That's why he recommends to always stay on anti-inflammatory aminosalicylates preventing any kind of flare-up. But, I think, it is still out choice to continue with the medications or not if we are symptom-free.
There are many types of research for inflammatory bowel. Many of the researched treatments are medications and biologicals. Biologicals are very expensive and some of them are not covered by health care insurances. There is more and more research being done on natural treatment options like probiotics and fish oils for inflammatory bowel disease. But not enogh. I wish there was more research being done on many natural and herbal treatment options. The doctors only trust extensive studies. But many alternative treatments are not studied at all. There are different tests that are done for diagnosing IBD. But there is no single test that will clearly say that you show to be "positive" for IBD. The doctor will order a blood test, colonoscopy, stool test (for blood presence) and sometimes CAT scan, X-ray bowel series, endoscopy. It takes a few things to show up to draw a clearer picture for your doctor. For example, just elevated white blood count (WBC) is not specific for IBD because it could also be an infection or other problems. But an elevated white blood count (WBC) along with joint pain, diarrhea, altered liver function tests and inflamed colon (colonoscopy test) will probably indicate inflammatory bowel disease.
The causes for IBD are unknown. Stress and hormonal changes probably cause worsening of the condition. For more causes of Crohns disease, click
possible causes of Crohns disease.
There are a few risk factors associated with this disorder: genetics, the immune system and …the environment. Antigens (foreign substances) are found in our environment. There is a possibility that our immune system overreacts to these foreign substances causing inflammation.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment Options Include:
Surgery is an option for IBD. About ¾ of Crohns patients may need surgery at some point while patients with ulcerative colitis may need it in 40 percent of the cases. For more on Crohns surgery, click
Crohns surgery.
Many medications are available for treatment of IBD. They include aminosalicylates, antibiotics, steroids, immunomodulators, biologicals, etc. For more on Crohns medications, click
Crohns medications.
Most commonly, IBD occurs in people of Jewish religion of European descent, people with a blood relative with IBD or people who live in developed countries and cities.
IBD, especially untreated can cause many health problems like indigestion, gallstones, arthritis, hormonal imbalance, delayed growth in children, osteoporosis, skin and lung problems, kidney stones, etc. Having an inflammatory bowel disorder is not just physical pain. It’s also a heavy psychological test for a patient. Can you handle it? Or will you give up? I say we get proactive and live our life to the fullest. 5 Tips To Improve Your Life With IBD:
Natural Options For Inflammatory Bowel Disease:Getting a great quality, natural immune system modulator (modulator means that it improves and regulates the immune system) is the smartest thing you can do for your health. Immune 26 or I26 is around for years. Many patients improved so much with this product. I take Immune 26 myself and recommend it to all my friends.Getting enough vitamin D is crucial for IBD and other immune system diseases. Vitamin D supplements can greatly improve health. It has been studied that treating vitamin D deficiency improves gastrointestinal health tremendously. I wish you all great health! Return from Inflammatory Bowel Disease Page to Home Page |
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