Get to Know the Signs of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
4/7/2023
A number of people suffer from the unpleasant gastrointestinal (GI) effects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and presume the symptoms are a lifelong reality. Our gastroenterology specialists in Tulsa, OK want you to know, however, that you don’t have to suffer these symptoms. Assistance is available — and it may be just around the corner. At Adult Gastroenterology Associates, we are here to educate you on GI issues and offer a variety of treatments to help you get back to enjoying your life in comfort.
What is IBD?
Essentially, IBD is chronic inflammation of the GI tract. You have likely heard of two conditions that fall into this category — ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. While it may only seem to cause uncomfortable symptoms, intestinal inflammation can lead to irreversible damage over time.
Though the precise cause of inflammatory bowel disease is not known, it is usually related to an unchecked immune system. It is thought that an individual with this disease has an immune system that is not responding appropriately to environmental triggers (bacteria and viruses) and has a close family member with IBD.
Common signs and symptoms of IBD are:
- Blood in the stool
- Stomach pain
- Exhaustion
- Unintentional loss of weight
- Difficulty having a bowel movement
- Diarrhea
How is inflammatory bowel disease alleviated?
After diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease, our main goal is to reduce intestinal inflammation to help decrease your symptoms. There are several treatment options we can try, and our goal is that, in the long run, you will experience long-term freedom from discomfort. IB treatments might include:
- Dietary changes
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Supplements such as Vitamin D, iron, calcium, and others
- Anti-inflammatory medications
The GI specialists at Adult Gastroenterology Associates can help you to find a treatment regimen that meets your needs. It may entail some experimentation to identify an option that helps ease your discomfort and intestinal inflammation; however, our specialists are dedicated to finding the right treatment for you.
Find help for IBD in Tulsa, OK
If you experience symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, or other GI concerns on a regular basis, it may be due to IBD. At Adult Gastroenterology Associates in Tulsa, OK, our experienced GI doctors are here to help detect, address, and control IBD and the uncomfortable symptoms that come along with it. If you suspect you have IBD and would like to get back to living life with less stress and discomfort, please contact an Adult Gastroenterology Associates location near you to schedule a consultation.