Gastro conditions
There are a range of gastro conditions, find out more about the more common forms of IBD below.
Gastro conditions
30 SEC READ
IBD – What is inflammatory bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the name given to a group of inflammatory disorders that cause part or all of the digestive tract to become red and swollen, impacting its ability to properly digest food.
IBD is an autoimmune condition, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. IBD is not contagious and is not caused by nerves or certain types of food.
The two main forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
8 MIN READ
Crohn’s Disease
What is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a life-long autoimmune condition, that frequently arises in the lower part of the small intestine or the caecum (part of the large intestine) but can affect any part of the digestive tract.
While inflammation is usually only seen via endoscopy (examination via an internal camera), when Crohn’s disease flares up, the symptoms can include:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Tiredness
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Nausea
Digestive issues may be accompanied by a skin rash or inflammation of the eyes, joints or tendons.
People with Crohn’s disease typically experience periods of disease activity (flare ups) and periods of inactivity (remission), Remission often can occur following treatment, but most symptoms eventually return.
In some people, Crohn’s disease can cause serious damage to the digestive tract, and result in complications such as the formation of fistulae (tunnels that form between different sections of the intestines or between the intestines and other organs such as the skin).
Whilst the exact cause of Crohn’s disease is currently unknown, environmental factors, lifestyle factors (such as exposure to certain bacteria or viruses) and genetics are all thought to be contributing influences.
What is fistulising Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease may be complicated by the formation of fistulae (abnormal tunnels between the bowel and other structures), which can develop between two segments of bowel (enteroenteric), between the rectum and the vagina (rectovaginal), between the bowel and the bladder (enterovesicular) or between the bowel and the skin (enterocutaneous). Perianal fistulae (affecting the areas around the anus) are the most common type.
In addition to the typical symptoms of Crohn’s disease, people with fistulating Crohn’s may also experience pus or a foul-smelling discharge draining from the fistula.
The severity of fistulising Crohn’s disease varies. To treat fistulising Crohn’s disease, your doctor will need to evaluate the severity of your symptoms and condition, to determine which treatments are most suitable for you.
Treatment of Crohn’s disease
The severity of Crohn’s disease varies. To effectively manage Crohn’s disease, your doctor will need to evaluate the severity of your symptoms and condition to determine which treatments are most suitable for you.
Treatments can help to relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may recommend one or a combination of treatments:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aminosalicylates may be prescribed to help reduce symptoms and prevent flare ups
- Corticosteroids are used to treat flare ups, and to relieve abdominal pain and tenderness. They may be prescribed to people who do not respond to aminosalicylates and are used to treat moderate to severe active IBD
- Immunosuppressants are prescribed when anti-inflammatory drugs have failed, and a person shows signs of more serious Crohn’s disease
- Antibiotics may be useful for the induction of remission and in the treatment of complications of Crohn's disease
- Biologics may be prescribed for people with moderate to severe IBD, where standard medical therapy has been insufficiently effective. They work by preventing or inhibiting specific biological proteins from triggering the processes within the inflammatory pathway
- Surgery may be necessary for some people who have severe Crohn’s disease – while not a cure, surgery can help resolve some complications, such as formation of fistulae.
You may also be prescribed other drugs to help you relax or to relieve pain, diarrhoea or infection. As a lifelong condition, it is important to work with your doctor to find a treatment that allows you to continue leading a fulfilling life. If you have any further questions about treatment options, please contact your healthcare practitioner.
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8 MIN READ
Ulcerative Colitis
What is ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a life-long autoimmune condition, where the large intestine is ‘attacked’ by the immune system leading to inflammation. The immune system injures the lining of the large intestine, which causes the formation of ulcers (open sores that can bleed). The damage to the lining of the large intestine can also lead to the production of mucus and pus in the large intestine.
The symptoms of ulcerative colitis depend on the location of the disease, and how much of the intestine is involved. It is usually the lower large intestine and rectum that is affected, however in some instances the entire large intestine may be involved.
The most common symptom of ulcerative colitis is diarrhoea containing traces of blood. You may cycle between periods of disease activity (flare ups) and periods of inactivity (remission, which can last for months or even years). People may go into remission after treatment, but most symptoms eventually return. The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is currently unknown, environmental factors, lifestyle factors (such as exposure to certain bacteria or viruses) and genetics can increase one’s predisposition to the development of ulcerative colitis.
If you have any further questions about symptoms that you may be experiencing, please seek further medical advice from a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Treatment of ulcerative colitis
The severity of ulcerative colitis varies. To treat ulcerative colitis, the doctor will need to evaluate the severity of your symptoms and condition, to determine which treatments are most suitable for you.
Life-long therapy is recommended for people with extensive disease or who suffer from more than one relapse (a return of symptoms) per year.
Treatments can help to relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation in the large intestine. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may recommend one or a combination of treatments:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aminosalicylates, may be prescribed to help reduce symptoms and prevent flare ups. These agents are the mainstay of maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis
- Corticosteroids are used to treat flare ups, and to relieve abdominal pain and tenderness. They may be prescribed to people who do not respond to aminosalicylates
- Immunosuppressants are prescribed when anti-inflammatory drugs have failed, and a person shows signs of more serious ulcerative colitis
- Antibiotics are used to treat flare ups and to prevent and fight infections
- Biologic agents are indicated for people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, where standard medical therapy has been insufficiently effective. They work by preventing specific biological proteins from triggering processes within the inflammatory pathway
You may also be given other drugs to help you relax or to relieve pain, diarrhoea or infection.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for ulcerative colitis other than surgical removal of the large intestine, though surgery is only considered when medication can no longer control the symptoms or to treat mechanical complications. Surgery might also be required for people at risk of colorectal cancer (typically, people who have lived with ulcerative colitis for more than 10 years).
As a lifelong condition, it is important to work with your doctor to find a ulcerative colitis treatment that allows you to continue leading a fulfilling life. If you have any further questions about treatment options, please contact your healthcare practitioner.
1 MIN READ
IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Contrary to what many people think, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (or IBS) is not a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Whilst some symptoms may seem similar, IBS is not an autoimmune disorder and it does not cause ulcers or visible injury to the bowel.
Whilst the cause of IBS is unknown, environmental factors such as changes of routine, emotional stress, infection and diet can trigger an attack. Irritable bowel syndrome doesn’t cause lasting damage and doesn’t contribute to the development of serious bowel conditions, such as cancer or colitis.
If you are concerned about any bowel symptoms or confused about whether you have IBS or IBD, contact your healthcare practitioner for further information.
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