Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Ocean Springs, MS
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Find a ProviderWhat is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) is a common term for inflammation in your intestines. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is generally categorized into two similar but distinct conditions:
- Crohn’s disease: Crohn's disease creates uncomfortable swelling of your gastrointestinal tract, specifically the colon. It is typically seen at the end of the small bowel and the beginning of the colon and may affect any portion of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus.
- Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis also occurs through colon inflammation but is usually accompanied by ulcers. This condition is restricted to the large bowel.
The GI specialists at Digestive Health Center usually detect and address inflammatory bowel disease. If you believe you could be struggling with this issue and need care for IBD in Ocean Springs, MS, please get in touch with our team to partner with a gastrointestinal expert in your community.
What causes inflammatory bowel disease?
The cause of inflammatory bowel disease is typically described as an immune system malfunction. Just like when your body appropriately initiates your immune system to attack bacteria or a virus, an abnormal immune system response can fight the cells in the GI tract. As a result, sections of the small bowel and colon become swollen. IBD does maintain a genetic element and can be handed down from parent to child. Risk factors of IBD include:
- Smoking
- Ethnicity or race: Inflammatory bowel disease is most common among Caucasians and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent but can affect anyone
- Family history: Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with being passed down genetically
- Geography: Inhabiting in an industrialized area and/or northern regions may increase the risk of IBD
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pills (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
- Age: The majority of individuals diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease are below the age of 30
What are the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?
Indications of inflammatory bowel disease will vary based on the condition and severity. The common signs of IBD include:
- Diarrhea
- Mouth sores
- Chronic exhaustion
- Constipation
- Blood in your stool
- Stomach cramps
- Unintentional weight changes
- Discomfort or drainage in the area around the anus
- Fever
- Joint discomfort or stiffness
- Immediate need to defecate
- Abdominal distress
- Rectal discomfort
- Abrupt weight loss
- Change in regular menstrual cycle
- Rash
We encourage you to get in touch with a Digestive Health Center gastroenterologist should you have any persistent change in bowel habits or have any combination of the above symptoms. Contact our GI team at a nearby location in Ocean Springs, MS today to request a consultation.
How is IBD diagnosed?
IBD may be identified via different techniques, decided upon by your provider, depending on your symptoms. A colonoscopy or an endoscopy is commonly used to identify inflammatory bowel disease. In some cases, other imaging evaluations, such as CT, MRI, or X-ray, will be carried out.
What are the treatments for IBD?
The primary treatment objective is to lessen the inflammation in your digestive tract to relieve or reduce symptoms. Treatment could, over time, lead to long-term remission of IBD. IBD treatments include:
- Surgery
- Enteral nutrition (liquid supplements)
- Iron supplements
- Antibiotics
- Anti-inflammatory drugs targeted at an overactive immune system
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Vitamin D and calcium supplements
Inflammatory Bowel Disease FAQs
Is IBD a genetic condition?
Among some individuals, hereditary factors can play a role in the chance of developing IBD. However, a patient may be genetically prone to getting IBD but not ever develop the disorder. The genetic risk of disease occurrence is greater with Crohn’s disease than ulcerative colitis.
Can having IBD raise the chance of developing cancer?
Having inflammatory bowel disease does not indicate that an individual will develop cancer. However, having the disease could raise the chance for developing colon or rectal cancer. Controlling the disease appropriately and managing inflammation may help lessen the cancer risk. Talk with your Digestive Health Center gastroenterologist to learn further information about the risk of cancer with inflammatory bowel disease.
Can a person's diet impact IBD?
Implementing certain dietary changes might help to lessen some of the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. This might entail cutting out foods that tend to trigger abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas, and diarrhea, among other unpleasant symptoms. Our gastroenterology team can help you determine a diet ideal for your health.
Does IBD ever go away?
Presently, there is no known cure for IBD. But there might be times when the disease is not active and falls into remission. IBD and its symptoms may be treated and managed with medications, dietary changes, and supplements.
Expert help for those experiencing IBD
IBD is not a deadly condition. However, if left unmanaged and untreated, over time, a person with IBD can create problems that could be deadly. Moreover, untreated inflammatory bowel disease can lead to a greater risk of colon cancer. Featuring a physician-led network of gastroenterologists, Digestive Health Center has options for care to help regulate the symptoms and optimize the lives of those living with inflammatory bowel disease. Please schedule an appointment with a nearby GI practice to find help for IBD in Ocean Springs, MS.
Reviews
Dr McNair has treated me since 1983. My Mother n law was seriously ill in SRH. Dr McNair came in ICU and saved her life. That year 1983 I made an appt to be one of his patients. He had not been on the Coast very long at all. But took me as new patient…I still am a patient of Dr A McNair. He’s Brilliant. I love the whole team❤️ May 1, 2023
Dr. Mcnair in my opinion is a wonderful, competent doctor. He shows the individual respect and allows them to participate in decisions concerning their own health and accepts deviations from the "norm" without pressure or ridicule to conform.
Great Doctor walked in talking to my dad as if he'd known him all his life and then he mentioned why he does what he does ...the Lord! This is the Doctor that will do my Dads procedure....Wonderful man.
went in for visit, good feeling upon arrival, very professional and informative about my childs condition, will be back for follow up and annuals.
I am definitely appreciative & thankful for Dr. Angela Pressley Wallace. She is very easy to work with, honest, understanding, very knowledgeable about her career being a physician, cares for her patients, terrific leader, kind hearted, genuine. One of the best & top Gastroenterologist Physicians in the Gulfport, MS area. I highly recommend Dr. Angela Pressley Wallace❗️You will not be disappointed.
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