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How to Recognize the Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a broad term used to describe multiple conditions, including Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. The condition is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, likely due to an overactive immune system response that attacks bacteria in the intestines, causing swelling, scarring, and even ulcers in the intestines. An estimated 1.4 million people in the US alone suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Although symptoms of this condition may resemble those caused by intestinal muscular problems associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a more serious chronic condition that can often require surgery. Although people who suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease often require a lifetime of care, the disease can be managed well with appropriate treatment, allowing sufferers to live active, normal lives. Because the condition is thought to be hereditary and can go into extended periods of remission, it is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of this illness. Identifying and discussing the symptoms you experience may help you and your healthcare provider determine the cause of your gastrointestinal ailments more quickly, getting you on track to receive timely, effective treatment for your condition.

Steps On Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Get to Know Your Body Correctly identifying certain symptoms can often depend on how closely you pay attention to your body; it is important to be able to characterize what is normal and abnormal for you. This requires regular attention to your body in all areas.

1. Observe the characteristics of your bowel movements. People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease often experience diarrhea, which can at times be bloody.
   • Check the toilet tissue or bowel for signs of blood before flushing.
   • Check underwear or your washcloth when changing or showering, as bleeding from the rectum occurs in some cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
2. Evaluate your appetite. If you have experienced a recent, prolonged loss of appetite, search for possible causes. Have you started any new medications? Are you suffering from depression? If you can find no explanation for your appetite loss, this symptom may be due to Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
3. Pay attention to aches and pains. Inflammatory Bowel Disease often presents itself with severe or chronic pain in the abdomen and may even cause joint pain. If you have prolonged stomachaches or pain in the joints that is not due to diagnosed arthritis or recent physical activity, you may have this symptom because of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
4. Give yourself a skin check. If you notice any changes in your overall complexion or skin (such as red bumps, ulcers, or rashes), you could be experiencing a symptom of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
5. Take your temperature. Inflammatory Bowel Disease can cause fevers in many people. Try buying a small electronic thermometer to carry with you to take your temperature several times throughout the day for a week; call a health professional if your temperature is consistently elevated.

Get Tested for Common Symptoms In some cases, Inflammatory Bowel Disease can cause problems that are hard for you to identify without other medical tests. Health professionals can often check for these symptoms with quick blood tests or physical examinations. Although these symptoms do not all necessarily indicate you have Inflammatory Bowel Disease, they may be helpful in determining the nature of your problem.

1. Check for anemia. In cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease that causes bleeding through the intestines, your blood may be low in iron, which can lead to fatigue and weakness. A finger prick allows for an iron check in a machine that gives immediate results, and should be available in any healthcare provider’s office at a very low cost.
2. Ask for a physical check of your liver. A trained health professional may be able to detect inflammation of the liver through a physical examination of your abdomen.
3. Report sharp bladder or abdominal pain. These symptoms may indicate kidney or gallstones, which can co-occur with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
4. Get a bone strength test. Checking for osteoporosis or brittle bones can help identify related symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which can cause weak bones or frequent bone breaks in serious cases.
5. Go to the optometrist. Getting an eye exam can help identify Inflammatory Bowel Disease symptoms such as inflammation of the eye.
6. Take a malnutrition test. Most healthcare providers can run through a short series of physical evaluations that check for symptoms of malnutrition. In some cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the condition interferes with your body’s absorption of nutrients. When this happens on a regular basis, you are at risk of malnutrition and its symptoms, such as weakness, weight loss, and physical or mental fatigue.

Chart Your Symptoms Keeping a diary or journal of your symptoms on a daily basis can help identify what type of symptoms you experience, how frequently they occur, and whether they may be related to other conditions.

1. Keep track of all irregular health symptoms. Having a written record of physical symptoms over a period of two or more weeks can help your healthcare provider decide which tests to run or treatments to suggest while you work toward a diagnosis.
   • Write down what time of day you experience pain, discomfort, abnormal bowel movements, or other acute symptoms.
   • Take note of how long each symptom lasts and the level of each symptom’s severity.
   • Similarly, tracking skin problems, pain during urination, fevers, body aches, and other general symptoms on a daily basis can help track related symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
2. Write down everything you eat. Keeping a food diary may help distinguish between Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease by determining whether your symptoms worsen only in relation to particular trigger foods. It may also help identify foods that ease your symptoms or give you a break in abdominal pain or diarrhea.
3. Make a note of stressful events. Writing down significant events that affect your emotional health, such as having a big presentation to give at work or breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, can help determine whether the severity of your symptoms is affected by stressful events. This information may be helpful for avoiding flare-ups of symptoms in the future or in identifying your exact condition.
4. Track medication and supplement use. Record your usage of medications and supplements, including birth control and over-the-counter medicines, as these may cause or mask symptoms related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Having a record of your medication and supplement usage can help a health specialist pinpoint whether certain medications may actually be causing or worsening your symptoms.

Tips Regarding Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Your prognosis may vary depending on which type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease you have, just as symptoms may vary from person to person. Despite the frustration and pain that comes with these conditions, many people with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases lead healthy, active lives with professional management of their condition and its related symptoms.

Warnings About Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Do not attempt to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease without the help of a health specialist. It is important to follow the guidance of a health professional familiar with gastrointestinal ailments and the related treatments for your condition or symptoms.

Sources and Citations

• http://www.cdc.gov/ibd/
• http://www.mayoclinic.org/ibd/
• http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/inflammatory-bowel-disease.cfm

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Recognize the Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Eat With an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diet

How to Eat an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diet

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the intestines. There are two main types of IBD: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. There are similarities and differences in both of these conditions. Ulcerative colitis involves the area of the bowel known as the large intestine, or colon. The inner lining of the intestine becomes red and inflamed and ulcers develop. In Ulcerative colitis the rectal area is usually the most affected on account of frequent diarrhea. The stool often contains mucus and blood if the lining of the colon has been damaged. In Crohn’s disease, the terminal ileum (the last part of the small intestine), and some parts of the large intestine, are usually affected. However, Crohn’s disease can attack anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. The entire bowel wall is inflamed and the inflammation extends much deeper into the layers of the intestinal wall than in ulcerative colitis. As a result, there is a great importance to knowing how to eat a diet that supports the health needs of those with inflammatory bowel disease.

Steps

1. Know how to identify the symptoms. The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are abdominal pain and diarrhea.
   • Since the diarrhea can be severe at times, dehydration, drop in blood pressure and anemia can occur due to blood loss through the rectum. Other IBD symptoms include: constipation, fever, chills, weight loss and fatigue.
   • The loss of nutrients and fluid frequently causes weight loss and malnutrition. It is important to consume an adequate and appropriate diet to help manage the symptoms of IBD since absorption of nutrients is an ongoing issue.
2. Eat small meals or snacks every 3 or 4 hours. This is important for helping your digestive system to recover and prevent it from working too hard. You will absorb more nutrients by doing this and you will be less likely to have abdominal pain while eating.
   • Save half of each main meal in the refrigerator to eat later.
   • Eat 3 small meals and 3 small snacks daily.
   • Keep pre-portioned and packaged healthy snacks available.
   • Use small plates for meals to help you to avoid eating too much at once.
3. Eat lower fiber foods when you are having symptoms. These foods are easier to digest and are less likely to cause digestive problems.
   • Bread, bagels, cereals and pasta made from white flour are recommended rather than whole wheat or rye.
   • Select white rice instead of rice with darker colors.
   • Choose packaged foods with less than 2 grams of fiber per serving.
   • Avoid corn, lima beans, pinto beans, navy beans, red beans and black beans.
   • Eat vegetables that are well-cooked without seeds, vegetable juices and potatoes without the skin.
   • Avoid most raw fruits other than ripe bananas, peeled apples and melon.
   • Avoid dried fruits like raisins and prunes.
   • Avoid prune juice.
   • Choose fruits that are canned, soft and without the skin.
4. Drink plenty of fluids. Preventing dehydration is very important.
   • Aim for at least 8 cups of fluid daily.
   • Avoid caffeinated beverages since they tend to pull the fluid out quickly.
   • Keep something to drink with you at work or school to have on hand.
5. Eat foods that have probiotics and prebiotics when you have no symptoms.
   • Prebiotics occur naturally in many foods, especially high-fiber ones, including certain fruits, vegetables and grains. They are also often added to dietary supplements and some processed foods, such as yogurt, drink mixes and meal-replacement bars.
   • Probiotics are live microorganisms beneficial for digestion. They contribute to the good bacteria that resides in our digestive tract. They are found in yogurt and some dairy products. You will usually find that the food product is labeled with “contains live cultures”. You can also use supplements containing probiotics.
6. Take a multivitamin. You may need more vitamins and minerals than you would normally need due to your ongoing symptoms. Diarrhea can cause your body to become depleted in certain vitamins and minerals.
   • Choose an over the counter multivitamin with minerals. You do not need a prescription for a good multivitamin.
   • You can ask a registered dietitian or pharmacist about the different types of multivitamins if you are not sure which one to choose.
   • Avoid taking excessive single vitamins or minerals like vitamin A, D or E. they are fat-soluble and can be stored in the body possibly causing toxicity.
7. Avoid greasy and high fat foods. These foods can cause stomach pains and diarrhea to become worse.
   • Use lowfat milk and cheeses.
   • Choose lean meats like skinless poultry, loin cuts of meats, grilled fish and tuna.
   • Limit fats and oils to less than 8 teaspoons per day. This includes: butter, margarine, cooking oil, sour cream and lard.
   • Avoid fried foods.

Tips

• During periods when you do not have symptoms you should include whole grains and a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet. It is not uncommon for some people to become constipated after bouts of excessive diarrhea. It will help with these symptoms to include higher fiber foods and continuing to drink plenty of fluids. You should start by having small amounts of higher fiber foods trying them one at a time. If you have pain or diarrhea, stop eating the new food and attempt this again at a later time.

Sources and Citations

• http://emedicine.medscape.com/
• http://www.ibsgroup.org/ibs-diet

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Eat an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diet. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Are You Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

How to Live With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Although Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can make certain activities more challenging or less appealing, well-managed IBD allows for a normal lifestyle during periods of remission. Follow these steps to live as comfortably as possible with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Steps On Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Optimize and Customize Your IBD Treatment Inflammatory Bowel Disease can be painful and disruptive during flare-ups or if the condition is not well controlled. Having a treatment plan that has been tailored to your lifestyle, needs, symptoms, and responses to medication can make the difference between a life of frequent symptoms and a life that is symptom-free for long periods of time.

1. Work with your healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan. Depending on the type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and symptoms you experience, your plan will be adjusted periodically to help reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
   • Your healthcare provider should work with you over time to help customize the most appropriate treatment plan in accordance to your symptoms and preferences.
2. Design a dietary regimen with a nutritionist. In many cases, certain foods may trigger or worsen symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
   • People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease are often encouraged to keep a journal of foods and drinks they consume as well as the type, severity, and duration of symptoms they experience for a few weeks. This diary will help a nutrition professional design a targeted meal plan to remove potential foods that exacerbate your symptoms.
3. Search for effective medications. Many medications are available to treat IBD and its symptoms.
   • Not every medication will work for everyone, and some medications may cause undesirable side effects. Remember that patience is essential when searching for a medicine or group of medicines that will effectively manage your symptoms and keep your Inflammatory Bowel Disease in remission.
   • Be honest with your healthcare professional about your experiences with side effects and symptom control in response to medications. In some cases, dose adjustments may be all that is necessary to make a treatment more effective for you.
   • Some medications lose effectiveness over time. Your treatment regimen will need to be periodically reevaluated and updated as your symptoms change or worsen.
4. Adhere to your treatment plan strictly. For the best chance of success in subduing or preventing flare-ups, follow your dietary and medicine plan to the letter.
   • Skipping or doubling doses without the advisement of a health professional can be dangerous or counterproductive. Use medications only as instructed and do not take additional medicines or supplements without first consulting a medical professional.

Take Advantage of IBD Remission Periods Once you have developed an effective treatment plan for your Inflammatory Bowel Disease and symptoms are in remission, get busy living life to the fullest. Taking advantage of your periods of good health can help you overcome the frustration and disappointment of IBD when flare-ups strike.

1. Enjoy your favorite activities. Staying busy with hobbies and going out with friends can help eliminate stress and remind you that life with Inflammatory Bowel Disease does not mean a life of limited fun or mobility.
2. Work to achieve a healthy weight. Many individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease suffer from malnutrition and are underweight, although some IBD sufferers are overweight or obese.
   • If you are not at a healthy weight, work with your primary healthcare provider to get your weight into a healthy range, through a combination of physical activity and targeted dietary changes.
   • You may require nutritional supplements or a restricted dietary plan, but individuals with appropriate body weight and nutrition often suffer fewer symptoms and discomforts associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
3. Eat, drink, and be merry. Although some foods and drinks may produce some symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and should be avoided, IBD is not caused by food allergies, and most foods and drinks are acceptable.
   • Once you have identified foods that seem to trigger symptoms of discomfort, eliminate them and get busy enjoying your meals as you normally would. With appropriate medication, most people living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease are able to enjoy a variety of delicious foods like anyone else.

Create Individual IBD Management Techniques After identifying an appropriate medical treatment plan with your doctor and growing accustomed to day-to-day life with IBD, you should be able to identify ways to anticipate flare-ups and manage uncomfortable symptoms. Knowing the way your own symptoms manifest, keeping track of diet and symptoms, and having a plan to adapt to developing symptoms can make living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease considerably less scary and challenging.

1. Pay attention to your body. If you notice the beginning of symptoms, follow the steps your healthcare professional has recommended to prevent flare-ups.
   • If your provider has suggested over-the-counter medicines to treat symptoms, such as anti-diuretics or anti-inflammatory pills, take the medication at the onset of symptoms.
   • Make a note of new or unusual symptoms or reactions, keep a list of any medications you used, and write down any potential offending foods or drinks so that you can discuss them with your healthcare provider and avoid the cause of such discomfort in the future.
2. Search for natural additions to your IBD management plan. In some cases, stress relief techniques, natural nutritional supplements, gluten-free diets, exercise routines, and proper hydration help prevent or relieve Inflammatory Bowel Disease symptoms.
   • When you are feeling well, try adopting a routine of stress-reducing exercise and natural nutrition management to get the most out of life with IBD.
   • Consult your primary care provider before beginning any strict dietary regimens, nutrition supplements, or strenuous physical activity plans to prevent accidental complications or dangerous physical risks.
3. Plan for remission periods. Focusing on what you will do or accomplish during periods of remission can help remind you that freedom from the symptoms of Inflammatory Disease is possible.
   • Staying positive can help prevent anxiety and depression, and can help you appreciate and enjoy symptom-free time even more.

Tips Regarding Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Remember that thousands of individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease lead full and active lives, and you can, too. With appropriate management techniques and an optimistic attitude, you can lead a normal and enjoyable life with IBD.

Warnings About Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a serious illness that must be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional. Do not attempt to self-diagnose, self-medicate, or alter your treatment plan without first consulting a health professional.

Sources and Citations

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2660805/
• http://www.ccfa.org/living/?LMI=1
• http://www.ibdetermined.org/

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Live With Inflammatory Bowel Disease. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Treat & Manage Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

ok so what is Inflammatory Bowel Disease read below to find out....

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) can be painful and difficult to experience. In many cases, common treatments exist to help repair damaged bowels, reduce or eliminate symptoms, or prevent complications of the disease.

Steps To Prevent Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Discuss Your IBD with a Health Professional Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases will vary depending on the severity and frequency of your symptoms. Besides working hard to keep yourself healthy and active, particularly during periods of fewer symptoms, most treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases involves medical procedures. A trained specialist or your primary care provider should be able to discuss possible treatment methods with you to find the best individual plan for treatment.

1. Confirm your diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. An accurate diagnosis is essential to appropriate treatment. Ask your healthcare provider whether there are additional tests necessary to solidify your diagnosis prior to beginning aggressive or targeted treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
2. Discuss non-medical options for treatment. In many cases, nutritional changes and lifestyle tweaks can help control symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Ask about specific dietary changes you can begin immediately to help prevent flare-ups or to ease symptoms and reduce inflammation.
3. Ask about current available treatment options. The current treatments offered for Inflammatory Bowel Disease include dietary changes, medication, and surgery. Surgery is often a last resort treatment or is used to remove pre-cancerous pockets of cells.
   • Specific treatments will depend on whether you have Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, or another form of IBD.

Design Your IBD Treatment Regimen Because there are multiple forms of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and due to the variety of symptoms and experiences people have with the disease, treatment for IBD is almost always individualized. In many cases, treatment plans will change with time, depending on your health and symptoms, as medications and dietary alterations can lose some effectiveness over time.

1. Keep a record of flare-ups and symptoms. Recording your diet and symptoms in a journal for a few weeks will help a dietitian or physician develop a nutritional intervention plan to ease your symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
   • Unless your symptoms are currently very severe, your healthcare provider may have you adjust your diet to test its effectiveness on easing symptoms before prescribing medication.
2. Discuss potential medications with a health professional. Many medications have been developed to reduce inflammation and ease the pain and discomfort of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
   • Medication options include anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone or steroids, immune system suppressors, antibiotics, anti-diarrheal medications, and other prescription drugs that fight irritation and prevent symptoms.
   • Just as with other medications, IBD drugs involve some side effects and may not be compatible with certain other medications. Be sure to discuss any other medications or supplements you take with your healthcare provider.
   • In some cases, the first medication you try may not be effective or suitable for your lifestyle. You may have to try several types of medicine before you find a drug that works well for you and eliminates your symptoms.
3. Have a plan for care during severe flare-ups. Even with treatment, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases can involve painful resurgences of symptoms that do not subside with use of your medication and dietary regimen.
   • Discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider for such instances, including which over-the-counter medications may help ease symptoms and whether he or she is available for emergency treatment in severe cases.
4. Consider surgery a last resort option. Well-managed Inflammatory Bowel Diseases may never require surgery. In some cases, however, significant bowel damage or dangerous pre-cancer cells may develop, necessitating surgery.
   • If you do not currently require surgical intervention, following your treatment plan closely and adjusting your treatment when necessary under the guidance of a health professional can help you avoid surgery in the future.

Focus on Improving Quality of Life A major goal of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases treatments is to restore your quality of life, particularly when the disease is well managed during periods of remission.

1. Stay active. Because Inflammatory Bowel Diseases flare-ups can limit physical activity, many IBD specialists encourage patients to take advantage of remission periods to enjoy physical activities that may other times be impossible.
   • When you feel well, go dancing with your significant other, take a swim, chase your children around in the park, ride your bicycle, train for a race or sporting competition, or enjoy gardening. Taking advantage of your mobility and freedom from symptoms can help make Inflammatory Bowel Diseases less intimidating and restrictive.
2. Eat well. Good overall nutrition helps give your body the nutrients it needs to control inflammation and manage symptoms with less inconvenience.
   • In some cases, a gluten-free diet may help ease symptoms. Do not begin a restrictive diet plan or eliminate entire food groups from your daily diet without the advice of a dietitian or nutritionist and the approval of your physician.
3. Be social. By enjoying your symptom-free time as much as possible, you can help relieve stress and anxiety surrounding your condition, which may itself ease some of your symptoms.
   • Socializing with friends and family can help improve your quality of life, making flare-ups more bearable and reminding you that it is possible to live a happy, well-balanced life with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Tips Regarding Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

• Many dietary changes and medications may become less effective over time. It is important to regularly discuss your symptoms and treatment options with a health professional to keep tailoring the best possible treatment plan to manage your condition.

Warnings About Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

• Do not attempt to self-diagnose Inflammatory Bowel Diseases or to treat its symptoms without the help of a health professional. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases symptoms can be indicative of other problems or conditions and must be professionally diagnosed before beginning an IBD treatment regimen.

Sources and Citations

• http://www.ccfa.org/info/diet
• http://www.mayoclinic.org/ibd/treatment.html
• http://www.ccfa.org/info/treatment/?LMI=5.1
• http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/#treatment

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

I hope this article was helpful to you to give you some insight about Inflammatory Bowel Diseases go here to review this great treatment method.