Tuesday, March 24, 2009

What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are incurable chronic diseases of the intestinal tract. The two diseases are often grouped together as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) because of their similar symptoms. As many as 4 million people (including one million Americans, 23,000 Australians, and 250,000 Canadians) worldwide suffer from a form IBD. The cost of lost productivity to U.S. businesses due to IBD is estimated to be as much as $.8 billion a year.

Symptoms
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have similar symptoms, but are different in the manner in which they affect the digestive tract. Each disease also has different surgical options, and may be treated with a spectrum of diverse medications. The most common symptoms of IBD include, but are not limited to:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Weight loss
  • Fever
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Skin and eye irritations
  • Diarrhea

Diagnosis
Several diagnostic tests are normally completed and studied by a digestive specialist (a gastroenterologist) before a diagnosis of IBD is made. The "gold standard" for diagnosis of IBD is considered the colonoscopy. During this test a fiber optic tube is inserted into the rectum while the patient is sedated to allow the doctor to inspect the lining of the large intestine.

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