[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/08\/understanding-ibd\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/08\/understanding-ibd\/","headline":"IBD Symptoms, Screenings, and Treatments","name":"IBD Symptoms, Screenings, and Treatments","description":"IBD impacts your physical and emotional wellbeing,  Learn how IBD screening tests, early diagnosis, and the right treatments can help you manage it.","datePublished":"2024-08-07","dateModified":"2024-08-06","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","name":"Digestive Disorders","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/digestive-disorders\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/GettyImages-1317714813.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/GettyImages-1317714813.jpg","height":867,"width":1999},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/08\/understanding-ibd\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":1013,"articleBody":"Inflammatory bowel disease, also known as IBD, is a group of digestive disorders that cause pain and inflammation in your intestines. This chronic condition impacts your physical and emotional wellbeing, but the right treatments can help you manage it. If you have ongoing bouts of belly pain, IBD screening and early diagnosis will help you get relief faster.Read on to learn more about IBD, including the symptoms, IBD screening tests to diagnose it, and treatment options.What Is IBD?IBD is an umbrella term for autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation (that is, sores or ulcers that can bleed) anywhere along your digestive tract. The inflammation might come and go, but it’s painful when it flares up. The most common types of IBD are:Crohn’s disease. This usually affects the end of the small intestine (ileum), where it joins the large intestine (colon).Ulcerative colitis. This affects your colon and rectum.Both men and women can get IBD at any time, but it’s most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35. Doctors aren’t sure what causes it, but they think it’s a combination of:Your genes. Up to 20% of people with IBD have a first-degree relative with it.Environmental exposures like cigarette smoke.Certain medicines like antibiotics or NSAID pain relievers.A history of appendicitis when you’re young.An overactive immune system that attacks healthy cells in your digestive tract.Symptoms of IBDIBD causes a range of symptoms that can change over time. Usually, IBD causes digestive symptoms such as:Stomach cramps or pain that doesn’t go away in a day or two.An urgent need to go to the bathroom.Diarrhea.Bleeding from your rectum.Mucus in your stool.Nausea or vomiting.Loss of appetite.IBD can also cause non-GI symptoms, including:Fatigue.Sores in your mouth or on your skin.Swollen, painful joints.Red, itchy, or painful eyes.Brittle bones (osteoporosis)Kidney stones.If you have these symptoms, or any digestive symptoms that don’t go away on their own, be sure you tell your doctor. If they suspect IBD, they can screen for it.IBD Screening TestsIf you have ongoing stomach issues, your doctor will want to know more about your symptoms and when they happen. They’ll do a complete physical exam and also ask about your diet to see if it’s connected to your symptoms. There isn’t one specific test to diagnose IBD, so your doctor might run any or all of these IBD screening tests:Blood tests and stool tests to look for proteins produced because of inflammation.An endoscopy. A doctor places a flexible, lighted tube with a camera into your mouth and down your esophagus. The tube can go into your stomach and the upper part of your small intestines to look for signs of IBD.A sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. With these tests, your doctor examines the lower part of your colon (sigmoid) and rectum or your entire colon. They’ll insert a flexible, lighted tube with a camera into your anus.A video capsule endoscopy. Your doctor might have you swallow a small capsule with a camera in it. The camera takes pictures as it passes through your GI tract throughout the day and then it passes out in your stool. A data recorder worn on your belt stores the pictures so your doctor can view them.Barium contrast studies. Various imaging tests can take pictures of your GI tract using x-rays, a CT scan, or a special type of MRI. Before these tests, you’ll drink barium, a chalky liquid that highlights your GI tract.IBD screening can look for signs of inflammation in your digestive tract and confirm a diagnosis of IBD. Your doctor might also do these tests periodically to monitor your IBD and ensure it’s well-managed.Why IBD Screening is ImportantLiving with IBD is challenging and often exhausting. Screening is the path to diagnosis which is the first step toward feeling better. Screening is also important because you can have long-term complications from IBD if you don’t start treating it promptly.Possible long-term complications from IBD include:Vitamin and mineral deficiencies. IBD, especially when untreated, can make it harder to absorb nutrients from your food. This can lead to osteoporosis and iron deficiency anemia.Perforated bowel. Chronic inflammation can cause a hole or tear in your large intestine to develop. Some medicines, like NSAID pain relievers, might increase your risk of a perforated bowel.Intestinal blockage. Swelling and scar tissue can narrow your intestinal passage.Fistula. This happens when ulcers on your intestinal wall create an opening to another part of your intestine or another organ.Toxic megacolon. This is severe, dangerous swelling in your intestine that can happen if inflammation reaches the inner muscle layer of your large intestine.A higher risk of colorectal cancer. People with both Crohn’s disease and colitis have a higher risk of colorectal cancer compared to the general population. About 5% to 8% of those with ulcerative colitis develop colorectal cancer within 20 years of diagnosis of their disease. The risk is slightly lower with Crohn’s disease.Your doctor might recommend various tests after your diagnosis to watch for any of these complications.Treatment Options for IBDUnfortunately, there is no cure for IBD. But treatments have come a long way and can often successfully manage your symptoms. Because IBD affects everyone differently, your treatments will depend on your symptoms and the extent of your disease.It’s important to work with your doctor and your entire IBD team to develop an effective treatment plan. This might include:Medications to manage pain, symptoms, or inflammation.Surgery to remove damaged parts of your intestines.Lifestyle changes like diet, stress management, or mind-body therapies to help manage pain.Many people with IBD also find great value from attending support groups. You’ll gain helpful tips and information about living with and managing this chronic illness from health professionals. IBD support groups are also an excellent opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2024","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"IBD Symptoms, Screenings, and Treatments","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/08\/understanding-ibd\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]