Inflammatory Bowel Disease
 

[B][I]Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammation of the small or large intestine that may cause these symptoms:
Diarrhea
Rectal bleeding
Sharp abdominal pain or cramping
Intestinal obstruction
Fever
See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms
There are two types of IBD:
Ulcerative Colitis
Starts in rectum and spreas upward
Affects men more tham women
Crohn's Disease
More patchy inflammation
Can start anywhere in the digestive tract
Affects women more than men
The cause of IBD is unknown. What is known about IBD includes the following:
IBD is not Contagious.
IBD is not caused by diet.
IBD is not a form of cancer.
IBD affects young and old alike.
IBD can usually be treated with medicine but sometimes requires surgery.
Diagnosis of IBD is based on:
Family history, travel history, current medications
Stool sample to rule out infection
Flexible sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy and biopsy to rule out cancer and to identify
IBD
X-ray studies
Treatment of IBD may include:
Medications to reduce or eliminate inflammation
Special diet or elemental formula diet
Surgery
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