Make Yourself Aware of the Symptoms and Signs of IBD
4/7/2023
Some adults today encounter the uncomfortable gastrointestinal (GI) signs of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and generally assume these symptoms are a reality they’ll experience for life. However, our GI doctors in Indianapolis, IN want you to know that you do not need to endure these symptoms. Help is here — and it is within reach. At Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology, we can educate you on GI issues and provide several treatment options to help get you back to enjoying life.
What exactly is IBD?
Simply put, IBD is chronic inflammation of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract. There are two conditions you’ve probably heard of that fall into this category — Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It might just seem like irritating symptoms you have to live with; however, intestinal inflammation can cause irreversible damage to the GI tract over time.
While the actual cause of IBD has yet to be determined, it’s thought to be linked to a malfunctioning immune system. An individual with this disease is thought to have an immune system that’s not reacting properly to environmental triggers, such as viruses and bacteria, and has a parent or sibling with inflammatory bowel disease.
Typical symptoms of IBD are:
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Unintentional loss of weight
- Diarrhea
- Bloody stool
How is inflammatory bowel disease treated?
After a diagnosis of IBD, our main goal is to decrease inflammation of your intestines, reducing your symptoms. There are several treatments we can try, and our goal is that, in the long run, you will experience long-term freedom from discomfort. Some common successful treatments include:
- Anti-diarrheal medicines
- Supplements such as Vitamin D, iron, calcium, and more
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Changes to your diet
The GI specialists at Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology can work with you to find a treatment regimen that is ideal for your concerns. It may entail a little bit of investigation to find a treatment that can help reduce inflammation and your symptoms, but we will help you determine the proper solution.
Help for IBD in Indianapolis, IN
Should you have abdominal pain, constipation, loose and watery stool, or other bothersome gastrointestinal problems regularly, it could be inflammatory bowel disease. At Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology, our experienced GI specialists are here to help detect, evaluate, and control inflammatory bowel disease and the troublesome symptoms that come along with it. If you think you could have inflammatory bowel disease and want to get back to enjoying life with less worry and discomfort, contact one of our Indianapolis, IN gastroenterology locations to schedule an appointment.