Definition:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease refers to two chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the intestines: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. While the diseases have some features in common, there are some important differences.
Diagnosis:
Inflammatory bowel disease can be hard to diagnose because there may be no symptoms, even if the person's bowel has become increasingly damaged for years. Once symptom appears, they often resemble those of other conditions, which may make it difficult for doctors to diagnose.
Treatment:
Drug treatment is the main method for relieving the symptoms of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Large progress is being made in the development of medications for treating inflammatory bowel disease. Your child's doctor may prescribe: anti-inflammatory drugs (used to decrease the inflammation caused by the disease), immunosuppressive agents (which work to restrain the immune system from attacking the body's own tissues and causing further inflammation).
Symptoms and Signs:
The most common symptoms of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are diarrhea and abdominal pain. Diarrhea can range from mild to severe as many as 20 or more visits to the bathroom per day. If the diarrhea is extreme, it can fall to dehydration, rapid heartbeat, and a drop in blood pressure. And continued loss of small amounts of blood in the stool may lead to anemia.
Causes:
Medical research hasn't determined yet what causes inflammatory bowel disease. But based from researchers they believe that a number of factors may be involved, such as the environment, diet, and possibly genetics.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
