Know the Signs of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
4/7/2023
Many people today encounter the uncomfortable effects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Generally, they presume it is something they will have to live with for the rest of their lives. However, our gastrointestinal (GI) doctors in Northwest Arkansas want you to know that you do not need to live with this discomfort. Support is here — and it’s right around the corner. At GI Alliance of Arkansas, we want to educate patients on their gastro problems and provide many treatment options to get them back to making the most of their lives.
What is inflammatory bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease is the chronic inflammation of a person’s gastrointestinal tract. You’ve most likely heard of two conditions that make up this disease — Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These conditions may feel like an irritating host of symptoms you'll have to deal with forever, but IBD can cause damage to the GI tract over time.
While the precise cause of inflammatory bowel disease is unknown, it’s often connected to a malfunctioning immune system. It is thought that an individual who has inflammatory bowel disease has an immune system that’s not reacting properly to environmental triggers (viruses or bacteria) and has a parent or sibling with inflammatory bowel disease.
The most common signs and symptoms of IBD include:
- Loose and watery stool
- Difficulty having a bowel movement
- Unintentional weight loss
- Tiredness
- Blood in the stool
- Stomach pain
How is inflammatory bowel disease treated?
After a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, we aim to decrease inflammation of your intestines, diminishing your symptoms. There are a variety of treatment options we can try, and our goal is that, eventually, you will experience long-lasting freedom from discomfort. Some commonly suggested treatments may include:
- Dietary changes
- Anti-diarrheal medicine
- Supplements such as Vitamin D, iron, calcium, and more
- Anti-inflammatory medications
The gastrointestinal specialists at GI Alliance of Arkansas can work with you to determine a course of treatment that can help ease your symptoms. It may take a little bit of experimentation to determine a treatment that helps reduce the inflammation and your symptoms. However, we will work with you to identify the best solution for your needs.
Help for inflammatory bowel disease in Northwest Arkansas
Should you suffer from stomach pain, difficulty passing stool, loose and/or watery stool, or other bothersome GI symptoms on a daily or weekly basis, it might be a result of inflammatory bowel disease. At GI Alliance of Arkansas, our team of experienced GI doctors can identify, evaluate, and manage IBD and the troublesome symptoms associated with it. If you think you could have IBD and wish to get back to living life in greater comfort, contact one of our Northwest Arkansas locations to request an appointment.