Understand the Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
4/7/2023
Most people in society today experience the discomforting gastrointestinal (GI) results of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and often think these symptoms are now a part of life they will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. Our board-certified gastroenterologists in Ocean Springs, MS want to make clear, however, that you do not need to live with this constant discomfort. Assistance is available to you — and it’s within earshot. At Digestive Health Center, we strive to help educate our patients on their gastro problems and provide a number of diverse treatments that will help you get back to making the most of your life.
What is IBD?
Inflammatory bowel disease is simply chronic inflammation of a patient’s GI tract. Two conditions that you’ve most likely heard of make up this disease — Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It may seem like irritating symptoms you have to live with; however, inflammation of the intestines can cause perpetual damage to the GI tract as years progress.
Though the actual cause of inflammatory bowel disease is not known, it’s often associated with an unchecked immune system. It is thought that an individual with IBD has an immune system that’s not reacting to environmental triggers, such as viruses and bacteria, properly. In addition, it's likely they have a close family member with inflammatory bowel disease.
The most common signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease include but are not limited to:
- Constipation
- Unexpected loss of weight
- Diarrhea
- Blood in the stool
- Fatigue
- Stomach pain
How is inflammatory bowel disease treated?
After a diagnosis of IBD, our main goal is to cut down inflammation in your intestines, diminishing many of your symptoms. There are a variety of treatments we can try, and our goal is that, ultimately, you will experience long-lasting freedom from discomfort. Some common successful treatments include:
- Vitamin D, iron, calcium, and other supplements
- Anti-inflammatory medicine
- Dietary changes
- Anti-diarrheal medicines
Our GI specialists at Digestive Health Center are here to help you find a course of treatment that is ideal for your concerns. It could take some investigation to determine a treatment that helps reduce signs and symptoms and inflammation, however, we will be with you during the process to get to the proper solution.
Get help for inflammatory bowel disease in Ocean Springs, MS
In the event you suffer from symptoms such as stomach pain, constipation, loose and watery stool, or other uncomfortable gastro symptoms on a daily or weekly basis, it could be IBD. At Digestive Health Center in Ocean Springs, MS, our experienced GI doctors want to help identify and control inflammatory bowel disease and the troublesome symptoms that come along with it. If you suspect you have IBD and want to get back to living life with less stress and uncomfortable feelings, contact your nearest Digestive Health Center location to schedule an appointment.