A number of tests are performed in order to diagnose the signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. The tests include blood tests, endoscopic procedures and imaging tests. Blood tests are done as tests for anemia or infection to detect the amount of red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the tissues or to check for signs of infection from bacteria or viruses. Fecal occult blood test is done with a stool sample. Doctors test for hidden blood in the stool. Colonoscopy is an endoscopic exam that allows the doctor to view the entire colon using a thin, flexible, lighted tube with an attached camera. During this procedure, the doctor can also take small samples of tissue (biopsy) for laboratory analysis. Sometimes a tissue sample can help confirm a diagnosis. In other endoscopic exam, called Flexible sigmoidoscopy, the doctor uses a slender, flexible, lighted tube to examine the rectum and sigmoid, the last portion of the colon. Upper endoscopy is done if the patient is having nausea and vomiting, difficulty eating or upper abdominal pain. Capsule endoscopy is used to help diagnose Crohn's disease that involves the small intestine. Balloon-assisted enteroscopy enables the doctor to look further into the small bowel where standard endoscopes don't reach. This procedure is very useful when a capsule endoscopy shows abnormalities. Imaging tests like X ray, Computerized tomography (CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests are also done to assist the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease.
The treatment of inflammatory bowel disease depends on the degree of severity and location of the syndrome. Treatment aims to reduce the inflammation that triggers the signs and symptoms. IBD treatment usually involves either drug therapy or surgery. Anti-inflammatory drugs are used primarily in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Anti-inflammatory drugs include corticosteroids and aminosalicylates, such as mesalamine (Asacol HD, Delzicol, others), balsalazide (Colazal) and olsalazine (Dipentum). Prescribed medicine depends on the location of the disease. Immunosuppressant drugs like azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) and methotrexate (Trexall) suppress the immune response that releases inflammation-inducing chemicals in the intestinal lining. Drugs called tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors, or biologics also help to relieve the symptoms of IBD. It works by neutralizing a protein produced by the immune system. Examples of these drugs include infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira) and golimumab (Simponi). Other biologic therapies that may be used are natalizumab (Tysabri), vedolizumab (Entyvio) and ustekinumab (Stelara).Apart from these medicines, antibiotics may also be used. Frequently prescribed antibiotics include ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and metronidazole (Flagyl). In addition to this, some over-the-counter medications may also be used which help to relieve the symptoms. Depending on the severity of the IBD symptoms, doctor may recommend anti-diarrheal medications, pain relievers, iron supplements and Calcium and vitamin D supplements. The doctor may also recommend a special diet given via a feeding tube (enteral nutrition) or nutrients injected into a vein (parenteral nutrition) to treat the symptoms of IBD. Some IBD signs and symptoms are so severe that the doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery can often eliminate ulcerative colitis by removing entire colon and rectum (proctocolectomy). This procedure involves an ileal pouch anal anastomosis. People with Crohn's disease will require at least one surgery. However, surgery is not able to cure Crohn's disease. During surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged portion of the digestive tract and then reconnects the healthy sections. Surgery may also be used to close fistulas and drain abscesses.
Who is eligible for the treatment?
People should consult a doctor when they experience a persistent change in their bowel habits. They may have any of the signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease and pain which they have not experienced before. Inflammatory bowel disease usually is not fatal, but it can be a serious disease and in some cases, may cause life-threatening complications. It is always advisable to consult a doctor and seek medical assistance and care.
Who is not eligible for the treatment?
People with normal bowel movement and no signs and symptoms of inflammation do not need to undergo medical treatment. Many times, the bowels become inflated and cause pain but this can be cured with home remedies. If the symptoms are not chronic and do not cause hamper in the daily lives of the people, they do not need to undergo medical treatment.
FAQs
The most effective drug in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) costs around Rs 4 to Rs 5 lakh a year. Many new drugs have come up but cost as much as Rs 9 lakh annually. Chandigarh: The most effective drug in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) costs around Rs 4 to Rs 5 lakh a year.
How long does it take for inflamed intestines to heal? ›
Acute colitis that is caused by a temporary infection, food intolerance or radiation exposure typically goes away by itself. Some types of infections may need treatment to go away, especially parasite infections. Most infections take about a week to go away, while radiation colitis takes a few months.
What are the side effects of the IBD treatment? ›
Most Common Side Effects: Headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, respiratory infection, and arthralgia. Other: Avoid balsalazide if you are allergic to medicines containing salicylates, such as aspirin, or mesalamine (Rowasa,® Asacol® HD, Pentasa,® Canasa,® Lialda,™ Apriso,™ and Delzicol™).
How does inflammatory bowel disease affect daily life? ›
IBD can have an overwhelming impact on how you look and how you feel, both emotionally and physically, as you deal with medication side effects, disease symptoms, nutrition changes, and surgery.
How expensive is Crohn's disease medication? ›
As with many prescription medications, these drugs aren't cheap. We found that the average Crohn's patient with insurance spends $606 a year on drugs to treat their condition.
What is the life expectancy of someone with IBD? ›
However, people living with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's have a shorter average life expectancy than those who don't. According to the study, females with IBD may live from 6.6 to 8.1 years less than females without IBD. Males with IBD may live from 5.0 to 6.1 years less than males without the condition.
Is IBD a disability? ›
Living with Crohn's or Colitis isn't automatically classed as a disability under the Equality Act. However, they are conditions which might be classed as a disability depending on the effect they have on your daily life.
Do inflamed intestines heal? ›
Medications for IBD can often reduce inflammation and promote healing in the intestines, resulting in remission—meaning long-term symptom relief. However, for many people with IBD, the condition is chronic and treatment is lifelong. It is very important to follow up regularly with your gastroenterologist.
What can I drink for inflamed intestines? ›
It is advisable to drink water instead of fruit juices, soft drinks, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages, such as coffee or tea.
What organ is affected by IBD? ›
Can affect any part of the GI tract (from the mouth to the anus)—Most often it affects the portion of the small intestine before the large intestine/colon. Occurs in the large intestine (colon) and the rectum. Damaged areas appear in patches that are next to areas of healthy tissue.
Malnutrition – lack of proper nutrition – is a major challenge with IBD. It is the main cause of chronic weight loss. Malnutrition affects about 65% to 75% of people with Crohn's disease and 18% to 62% of those with ulcerative colitis.
Can people with IBD live a normal life? ›
Living with Crohn's disease can be difficult at times, but there's no reason you cannot have a normal life if your symptoms are well controlled. There's no special diet for adults with Crohn's disease, but children may sometimes need a special liquid diet to control their symptoms. Aim to have a healthy, balanced diet.
How does inflammatory bowel disease make you feel? ›
Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease usually are characterized by diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. For some people, IBD is only a mild illness. For others, it's a debilitating condition that can lead to life-threatening complications.
What makes inflammatory bowel disease worse? ›
Also, certain sweeteners, such as sorbitol, can worsen diarrhea. People with IBD should also avoid alcohol and caffeine if they trigger symptoms.
How painful is inflammatory bowel disease? ›
Over time, the inflammation can cause severe pain, diarrhea, and sometimes bloody stool.
What is the most common treatment for IBD? ›
Anti-inflammatories include aminosalicylates, such as mesalamine (Delzicol, Rowasa, others), balsalazide (Colazal) and olsalazine (Dipentum). Time-limited courses of corticosteroids are also used to induce remission. In addition to being anti-inflammatory, steroids are immunosuppressing.
What is the best current treatment for IBD? ›
Biologics. The current mainstay of IBD therapy is biological therapy, which is primarily based on monoclonal antibodies directed against specific molecules with immunomodulatory or inflammatory activity. Biologics are divided into four classes based on mechanism of action.
What is the treatment plan for IBD? ›
The traditional approach to treatment of IBD inflammation is referred to as 'step up' therapy, which means trying lower classes of medications first and progressing to stronger medications if needed. Medications called 5-ASAs are the most common treatment if you have mild or moderate IBD.
What is the primary treatment for IBD? ›
Medications to treat IBD include: Aminosalicylates (an anti-inflammatory medicine like sulfasalazine, mesalamine or balsalazide) minimize irritation to the intestines. Antibiotics treat infections and abscesses. Biologics interrupt signals from the immune system that cause inflammation.
