5 Bothersome Signs of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic digestive disease that affects millions of Americans. While researchers are still learning about the underlying causes of IBD, they do know it’s related to an abnormal immune system response that targets your digestive system.

IBD actually includes two conditions — Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. While both can cause similar symptoms, they differ in the effects they cause and which parts of your digestive system they affect.

While there’s no cure for IBD, it can be managed with proper medical attention. Like other chronic health issues, IBD responds best to early intervention, which is why knowing the symptoms is so important for your health. 

At Digestive Disease Specialists, our team offers patient-centered IBD treatment for patients at our Moline, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa, locations. In this post, learn about five IBD symptoms that can help you know to get treatment as soon as possible.

1. Belly cramps

Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms of IBD, with pain ranging from relatively mild to severe. Belly pain is related to the inflammatory changes that occur in your digestive tract as a result of IBD. More severe pain may be triggered by certain foods, stress, or other illnesses, especially illnesses that also involve inflammation.

2. Chronic diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea is another common IBD symptom. Most of us have occasional diarrhea that clears up in a day or two. However, people with IBD have diarrhea regularly, lasting for days or weeks. Diarrhea can also increase your risk of anal fissures and irritation, along with dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.

3. Blood in your stools

IBD can cause sores or ulcers in the lining of your digestive tract. Without treatment, these sores can lead to infection and anemia. Bloody stools typically are associated with more advanced disease or flare-ups that require prompt management. This symptom can also be associated with colon cancer, and it should be medically evaluated right away.

4. Persistent fatigue

The inflammation and other bowel changes associated with IBD can interfere with nutrient absorption, which means your cells and tissues don’t receive the nutrients they need for normal function. As a result, you may feel tired and run down even with adequate sleep. 

Many people with IBD also experience stress as a result of their symptoms, and over time, chronic anxiety can increase feelings of fatigue too.

5. Unintended weight loss

Finally, many people with IBD experience a decrease in appetite which can lead to weight loss. Decreased absorption of nutrients and calories can lead to weight loss without any attempt at dieting. Unexplained weight loss can be a sign of other problems including some types of cancer, and prompt medical evaluation is essential.

Don’t ignore bowel changes

It’s important to note that both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause other symptoms, too, and symptom severity can worsen over time. Many people experience flare-ups of severe symptoms followed by periods of remission for several weeks or even months.

If you have any of these symptoms or other unusual changes in your bowel habits, don’t ignore them. Delaying care can lead to long-term complications that require more aggressive therapies to treat. To get the care you need as soon as possible, book an appointment online or over the phone with Digestive Disease Specialists today.