Lifestyle
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When you or someone you love is diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it can be scary. Here’s what you need to know about the condition.
IBS is a common gastrointestinal problem affecting approximately 20 percent of Australians at some point in their lives. It can cause fluctuating intestinal discomfort, bloating, constipation or diarrhoea. However, unlike IBD, IBS doesn’t result in damage to the digestive system.
An autoimmune disease occurs when something goes wrong with your immune system. Instead of working to fight off foreign germs and injury, something triggers the immune system to attack your normal bodily tissues.
The disease belongs in the same category as other autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes.
In IBD, the immune system is triggered to attack the tissues of the digestive system. These attacks cause inflammation and damage to the large and small intestines.
There are two major types of IBD: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). While Crohn’s can impact any section of the digestive tract, UC impacts the large intestine.
Additionally, the disease can cause symptoms outside the gut, including joint pain and fatigue.
IBD risk factors
Interestingly, Australia has one of the highest prevalence of IBD in the world. More than 80,000 Australians experience the condition, and that number is anticipated to rise.
You may decide to visit your doctor due to some of the following persistent symptoms:
Your doctor will run some or all of the following tests:
When treating IBD, several approaches are utilised.
If you have IBD, changes to your diet may help control symptoms – but there’s little evidence to prove this. Crohn’s and Colitis Australia recommends any dietary changes are made under the guidance of an accredited dietitian.
Lifestyle changes you should consider are quitting smoking and limiting stress.
Medication is the foundation of IBD treatment. Medications often utilised for IBD include:
There is no cure for IBD. Unfortunately, it is also a chronic condition that has implications not only for the patient but also for society in lost productivity, lost wages, and increased healthcare costs. It can lead to significant complications and disability. However, with good management it is possible to live comfortably and lessen the impact of the condition.
If you have been diagnosed with IBD, it’s important to be your own advocate. Research your condition, ask your doctor questions, take care of yourself physically and mentally, and find an in-person or online support group.
While a diagnosis of IBD is frightening, advances being made in medical and pharmaceutical research are making life with the disease more liveable.