Understand the Signs of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
4/7/2023
A vast majority of people living today encounter the disagreeable gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and usually assume this discomfort is now something they will experience for the rest of their lives. Our gastroenterology doctors in Denver, CO want to make clear, though, that you do not need to deal with these symptoms for the rest of your life. In fact, support is available — and it is closer than you’d think. At Denver Digestive Health Specialists, we want to help you with your gastro problems and offer a number of diverse treatments that can allow you to start to enjoying your life again.
What’s IBD?
IBD is known as chronic inflammation of the GI tract. There are two conditions that you’ve most likely heard of that fall into this disease — Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. They might just feel like an irritating symptom you have to deal with; however, intestinal inflammation can lead to permanent damage to the GI tract as years progress.
Although the exact cause of inflammatory bowel disease is unknown, it’s often connected to an unchecked immune system. It is also thought that a patient with inflammatory bowel disease has an immune system that is not responding to environmental triggers, such as viruses and bacteria, justly and has a family member who has IBD.
The most common symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease include:
- Fatigue
- Unexpected weight loss
- Loose and watery stool
- Difficulty having a bowel movement
- Bloody stool
- Abdominal pain
How is IBD handled?
After a diagnosis of IBD, our first step will be to decrease inflammation in your intestines as a way to reduce many of your symptoms. There are many treatment options we can try, and our goal is that, ultimately, you will experience long-term remission. Some common suggested treatments are:
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Changes to your diet
- Taking vitamin D, iron, calcium, and other supplements
Our Denver, CO gastroenterologists are here to help you to find a course of treatment that works to meet your needs. It could entail some experimentation to determine a treatment that helps ease discomfort and GI inflammation, but we will be with you during the process to determine the right solution.
Help for IBD near Denver, CO
In the case you experience abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, or other bothersome gastrointestinal symptoms on a consistent basis, it may be inflammatory bowel disease and the unpleasant symptoms that signify it. At Denver Digestive Health Specialists, our expert GI doctors are here to help identify, diagnose, evaluate, and manage inflammatory bowel disease and the associated symptoms. If you suspect you might have IBD and would like to start again living life with less stress and uncomfortable feelings, please contact your nearest Denver, CO location to schedule a consultation.