At least 3 million persons in the United States suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, which causes significant inflammation and could cause serious problems in the digestive tract. Suppose you are experiencing diarrhea, constipation, poor appetite, abdominal cramps, or other problems. In that case, it is time to consult professional gastroenterologist Robert Narvaez, MD, MBA, at Digestive & Liver Disease Center of San Antonio PLLC. Employing a framework of actual medical competence, Dr. Narvaez diagnoses, and cures all forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Do not allow obtrusive symptoms to take control of your life. For expert care for inflammatory bowel disease in San Antonio, call the office or book an appointment online right away.
What Exactly Is Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
Inflammatory bowel disease is a spectrum of inflammatory diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract and cause unpleasant or agonizing symptoms. The two most prevalent forms of inflammatory bowel disease are Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis.
What Are The Common Symptoms Of Inflammatory Bowel disease?
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are similar, although they are two different diseases. Typical symptoms include:
- Pain in the abdomen
- Cramping in the stomach
- Bloody stools
- Unintentional weight loss
- Appetite problems
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Constipation (less common than diarrhea)
Your symptoms can range from moderate to severe, and asymptomatic intervals known as remissions are possible.
What Is The Difference Between Crohn’s Disease And Ulcerative Colitis?
The following are the main distinctions between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis:
v The Affected Area
The large intestine, which includes your rectum and colon, is affected by ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease could affect any portion of your digestive system. It often affects the large and small intestines, although it can also affect the anus, stomach, and esophagus.
v The Inflammation Pattern
For ulcerative colitis, your colon is constantly inflamed. With Crohn’s disease, however, there are some healthy patches alongside the inflamed regions.
v Inflammation severity
The swelling in ulcerative colitis happens only in the innermost lining of the intestine. Inflammation could spread across all layers of tissue in Crohn’s disease.
Up to 10% of people with inflammatory bowel disease have symptoms similar to ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Irritable bowel disease-unclassified is the name given to this condition.
What Are The Treatment Options For Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Dr. Narvaez starts with a diagnostic that could involve stool tests, blood tests, and MRI or CT scans. To evaluate the location and severity of the damage, he may need to perform a diagnostic test such as barium X-rays, a colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy, or upper endoscopy.
Medications that could help ease symptoms and reduce inflammation include antibiotics, immunosuppressants, biologics, and corticosteroids. Symptoms could also be relieved by making lifestyle adjustments such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements.
If conservative treatment fails to relieve your symptoms, Dr. Narvaez might consider surgery. During surgery, he could eliminate the sick segment of your intestine, repair issues such as strictures (unusual intestine narrowing), and then reattach the healthy parts of your intestines.
Are you worried about gastrointestinal symptoms and want answers? Talk to the gastroenterology experts at Digestive & Liver Disease Center of San Antonio PLLC. To get started, schedule an appointment through mobile or book online today.
