Inflammatory Bowel Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Definition

Enteritis is an inflammatory or inflammatory condition in the intestine. This disease is characterized by damage to cells in the intestine due to infection, impaired immunity, and several other reasons.

This health disorder is also known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes two main conditions, namely ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation and injury to the innermost lining of the large intestine and rectum.

Meanwhile, Crohn’s disease usually spreads inflammation to the affected tissue. Most of the time, the inflammation affects different areas of the digestive tract.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease usually often feel abdominal pain or stomach cramps. If not treated immediately, this disease can be bad.

intestinal inflammation

Medical specialist Internal medicine (SpPD), internal medicine with subspecialty gastroenterology (SpPD-KGEH).
Symptoms Diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps.
risk factor Smoking, a diet high in fat and processed meat.
diagnosis History, physical examination, blood and stool examination, radiology.
Treatment Medication, surgery, nutritional support.
Drug Anti-inflammatory, anti-pain, anti-diarrheal.
Complications Malnutrition, dehydration, weight loss.
When to see a doctor? Changes in persistent bowel patterns. There are persistent symptoms of intestinal inflammation.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of intestinal inflammation that can occur are:

  • abdominal pain or cramps (main symptom)
  • diarrhea (main symptom)
  • presence of blood during bowel movements
  • unbearable urge to defecate
  • stomach feels bloated
  • high fever
  • BB drop
  • anemia

Reason

There are many causes of intestinal inflammation, some of the most common are:

  • Infection

The most common infections that cause intestinal inflammation are viruses and bacteria.

Generally, viruses and bacteria enter the intestines because a person eats unclean food.

  • Autoimmune

Immune disorders such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause cells that play a role in the immune system to attack the digestive tract and cause inflammation.

  • Blockage of Blood Vessels

The presence of blood vessel blockage (thrombosis) in the intestine causes intestinal cells to lack oxygen and experience inflammation.

This condition of blood vessel blockage is generally caused by the presence of high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol which are not handled properly.

  • Drug Side Effects

There are several types of drugs that can irritate the digestive tract, including the intestines.

For example pain medications, some types of drugs for cancer, and so on.

Risk Factors

Some factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease are:

  • age, most cases are diagnosed at the age of less than 35 years
  • white race
  • have a family history of colitis
  • smoking habit
  • consumption of NSAIDs
  • location of residence, i.e. developing countries, urban areas, cold climate countries
  • a diet high in fat and processed meat
  • sedentary (passive) activity

Diagnosis

Here are some ways that can help diagnose inflammatory bowel disease.

  • Anamnesis (medical interview)

The doctor will ask about the complaints that are felt and whether there is a family history of intestinal inflammation.

  • Physical examination

Such as rectal examination can show the presence of blood in the lower digestive tract.

  • Stool examination

This method is done to check for infection, blood in the stool, etc.

  • Blood test

Blood tests may be needed to check whether there are conditions such as anemia, infection, etc.

  • Endoscopic examination

This method is important to see the condition of the inside of the intestine. The doctor can check whether there is a part of the intestine that is injured.

This tool is used to accurately examine the bowel picture. The method can be useful to monitor the emergence of complications from intestinal inflammation.

Quick check-up for emergency cases. For example, to make sure there are no complications of a torn intestine.

Treatment

Inflammation of the intestine can be treated by an internal medicine doctor or gastrointestinal specialist (gastroenterologist).

IBD treatment can depend on the situation and conditions, for example:

  • Intestinal drugs

The drugs given can be of several types and have the aim of reducing inflammation.

  • Nutritional support

For example, through the administration of supplements, feeding pipes or special intravenous fluids.

  • Surgery

For example, to remove the damaged part of the intestine.

Related Drugs

Drugs that can be used for intestinal inflammation, for example:

  • anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids
  • immune-suppressing drugs to treat inflammation
  • Biologics, drugs given with the aim of neutralizing proteins in the body that cause inflammation
  • antibiotics if a bacterial infection is suspected
  • anti-diarrhea medicine
  • pain medication
  • certain supplements, if there are problems absorbing nutrients

Prevention

Not all intestinal inflammation can be prevented. But in general, to reduce the risk of getting colitis, you should do the following:

  • Choose clean food and drink. Apply a balanced nutritional diet
  • Avoid smoking and being in secondhand smoke environments
  • as well as regular exercise

Complications

There are several risks of complications from inflammatory bowel disease that are not handled properly. Here’s the list.

  • Malnutrition, weight loss. Caused by impaired absorption of nutrients in the inflamed intestine or prolonged diarrhea.
  • Dehydration from diarrhea.
  • Intestinal obstruction. Occurs due to thickening of the digestive tract, especially in Crohn’s disease.
  • Toxic megacolon. A complication of ulcerative colitis that causes the intestines to grow and swell.
  • Intestinal tear (perforation), can be caused by toxic megacolon or appears by itself.
  • Colon cancer. Cancer screening should be done at least 10 years from the initial diagnosis of colitis.
  • Fistula (abnormal tract) between parts of the digestive tract. Most often arise in the area near the anus.

When to See a Doctor?

If signs and symptoms of intestinal inflammation appear above, especially if they are prolonged, you should immediately consult a doctor.

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