Chronic inflammation of the intestine is brought on by an abnormal immune response to gut microbiota. It is known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are its two forms. Both are incurable, carry a high risk of colon cancer, have a hereditary propensity, and have substantial morbidity. The rectum, sigmoid, or whole colon may be impacted by either condition.
Etiology
Genetically predisposed people develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as a result of an inappropriate immune system response to intestinal flora.
The root cause of IBD is yet unknown. Although numerous causes have been suggested, none of them are consistently present in every patient. The one constant feature of Crohn’s disease is the strong connection with tobacco use. However, smoking seems to offer some protection against ulcerative colitis. Dietary factors are still up for controversy.
Although the CARD15 gene has been linked to IBD, it is impossible to predict which area of the GI tract will be impacted due to its polymorphism characteristics. Compared to Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis has a less genetic connection.
Physical symptoms
1-Ulcerative colitis:
- Usually includes bloody diarrhea, either with or without mucous.
- Tenesmus, inadequate evacuation, and stomach pain are common in patients.
- Abdominal pain in the left upper or lower quadrant may be discovered during a physical examination.
- A toxic megacolon should be investigated if there are symptoms of an acute abdomen.
2: Crohn’s Disease
- Symptoms differ according to the area of the gastrointestinal tract affected.
- Weight loss, non-bloody diarrhea, and soreness in the right lower quadrant are among the symptoms.
- Fecaluria, pneumaturia, and rectovaginal fistulas can all be caused by fistula formation.
- An abscess has been identified by masses in the lower right quadrant.
Treatment and management
- For mild to moderate disease, aminosalicylate drugs are standard.
- Immunomodulators or oral glucocorticoids may be necessary for moderate disease.
- A total colectomy may be necessary for up to 25% of UC patients.
- Corticosteroid treatment is used to treat flare-ups.
- If there are more than one or two flare-ups per year, anti-TNF (tumor necrotizing factor) medications or other immunosuppressive drugs are considered.
- Oral budesonide was added to mesalamine to treat mild ileocecal illness.
- For more severe diseases, prednisone-based systemic steroids therapy is necessary.
- Severe fistulizing conditions may require surgical intervention.
- Assessing bone density is essential for people taking steroids.
Lifestyle Tips for Reducing Intestinal Swelling
- To help reduce the quantity of water drawn into your gut, which may be a contributing factor to watery stools and intestinal swelling, cut back on intense sweets like juices, candies, and soda.
- Reduce the amount of alcohol consumed.
Best Foods for Soothing Intestinal Irritation
- Avoid foods that increase stool output, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, prunes, and caffeinated beverages.
- Incorporate more omega-3 fatty acids from fish.
- Smaller, more frequent meals increase daily nutrition intake.
- Consider nutritional supplements if appetite is poor.
- Avoid nuts, seeds, beans, and kernels in case of strictures.
- Follow a lactose-free diet for lactose intolerance.
- Treat fat malabsorption symptoms with a low-fat diet.
Patients with inflamed intestines are often young. The disease is chronic and needs lifelong monitoring to ensure proper treatment compliance and management.
References
- McDowell, C., Farooq, U., & Haseeb, M. (2023). Inflammatory bowel disease. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470312/.
- Maaser, C., Sturm, A., Vavricka, S. R., Kucharzik, T., Fiorino, G., Annese, V., Calabrese, E., Baumgart, D. C., Bettenworth, D., Borralho Nunes, P., Burisch, J., Castiglione, F., Eliakim, R., Ellul, P., González-Lama, Y., Gordon, H., Halligan, S., Katsanos, K., Kopylov, U.,… Stoker, J. (2019). ECCO-ESGAR guideline for diagnostic assessment in IBD Part 1: Initial diagnosis, monitoring of known IBD, detection of complications. Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, 13(2), 144-164. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjy113
