Get to Know the Signs and Symptoms of IBD
4/7/2023
People who experience the disagreeable gastrointestinal (GI) effects of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) generally think these symptoms are something they'll have to endure for the rest of their lives. Our gastroenterology doctors in Wellington, Atlantis, and Jupiter, FL want you to know, however, that you don’t need to deal with this discomfort. Assistance is available to you — and it may be closer than you think. At Gastroenterology Associates of Florida, we are here to educate you on your GI symptoms and provide a number of treatment options to help improve your quality of life.
What exactly is inflammatory bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease is chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Two conditions you’ve likely heard of are categorized in this disease — ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Though it may just seem like discomfort you have to live with, intestinal inflammation can result in irreversible damage to the GI tract over time.
While the exact cause of this disease is not known, it’s often related to an unchecked immune system. It is thought that a patient with this disease has an immune system that does not react appropriately to environmental triggers (such as viruses and bacteria) and has a family member who has IBD.
The most common signs and symptoms of IBD involve:
- Blood in the stool
- Loose stool
- Difficulty having a bowel movement
- Pain in the abdomen
- Fatigue
- Unintentional loss of weight
How is IBD treated?
After a diagnosis of IBD, our main goal is to minimize intestinal inflammation and help alleviate your symptoms. There are a number of treatments we can try and our goal is that, in the long run, you can experience prolonged remission. Some common treatments may include:
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Anti-diarrheal medicine
- Vitamin D, iron, calcium, and other supplements
- Dietary changes
The GI specialists at Gastroenterology Associates of Florida can help you determine a treatment regimen that works to meet your concerns. It may entail a little bit of investigation to determine the ideal treatment to lessen symptoms and inflammation; however, our team will be here to help you throughout the process.
Get help for IBD in Palm Beach County, FL
In the event you suffer from symptoms such as stomach pain, constipation, lose and/or watery stool, or other gastro problems on a daily or weekly basis, it might be due to inflammatory bowel disease. At Gastroenterology Associates of Florida, our expert GI specialists are here to help diagnose, manage, and treat IBD and the troublesome symptoms that accompany it. If you suspect you may have IBD and want to live life with fewer worries and discomfort, contact our Wellington, Jupiter, or Atlantis, FL location to request a consultation.