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The incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is increasing in India. While in the West, IBD is common in people with a family history of the disease, in India, it also affects people without such a history. Studies point to a westernised diet, lack of fresh fruits and vegetables, increased use of pesticides, stress, lack of sun exposure, adulterated food and contaminated water as the reason for the increase of IBD in India.
A recent editorial in Lancet described India as a high risk of IBD. North India is at as much risk as the western world. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are chronic conditions that cause inflammation in the intestines. Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease are two common inflammatory bowel diseases. Still, not everyone with either condition experiences the same symptoms. IBD is a severe condition that can lead to fatal complications, so it's essential to get diagnosed early on and get treatment as soon as possible. Manipal Hospitals has renowned and experienced Inflammatory Bowel Disease Doctors in Delhi NCR, who can guide you about the various aspects of it.
IBD causes digestive tract inflammation involving multiple areas, including your colon and small intestine. The cause for this inflammation isn't clear. Still, it seems to involve genetic factors and environmental triggers such as smoking, diet and stressors.
What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that can affect the gastrointestinal tract, from mouth to anus.
Types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
Ulcerative colitis (UC) causes long-lasting colon inflammation. The symptoms of UC include diarrhoea and abdominal pain, which can be mild to severe. The severity of symptoms varies between people with UC and over time for each individual. Some people have few or no symptoms, while others have frequent bouts of severe flare-ups requiring medical care.
UC is considered an autoimmune condition, which occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in your body instead of fighting off an infection or foreign substances like bacteria. In this case, your immune system attacks the cells that line your intestines—intestinal epithelial cells—causing inflammation throughout the digestive tract from the mouth through your large intestine.
The most common cause is genetics; other factors may also play a role in its development: lifestyle habits such as smoking, certain medications, stress and microbial elements such as viruses or bacteria living inside you, and environmental exposures such as pollutants in air pollution or food additives.
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Crohn's Disease (CD)
Crohn's disease (CD) affects the gastrointestinal tract. It results in inflammation in any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. It can be challenging to diagnose Crohn's disease because there are no specific tests to detect it, and symptoms may vary from one person to another. That's why your doctor will need to do a physical exam, take a detailed medical history, and perform some tests if they think you might have Crohn's disease or another type of inflammatory bowel disease —the only way doctors know for sure whether or not someone has IBD is by looking at their intestines through an endoscopy procedure and finding inflammation when they examine them with a colonoscope (a long thin tube).
If you have symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, talk with our expert IBD doctor in Delhi about getting tested for it so they can determine which conditions might apply in your case. Book an appointment today at our gastro hospital in Dwarka, Delhi if you are having symptoms of IBD.
What Causes Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and rectal bleeding. At this time, it's not clear what causes IBD. Studies link the following factors to IBD:
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Gene mutations
If you have a family history of IBD, your chances of getting it are higher than those without such a history.
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Age
People who develop Crohn's disease before age 20 or after 55 may be at higher risk for colon cancer later in life.
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Lifestyle
Cigarette smoking is a risk for developing Crohn's disease.
Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The Symptoms of IBD include:
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Fatigue
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Fever
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Weight loss and loss of appetite (unexplained weight loss)
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Joint pain (arthritis)
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Rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhoea (blood in stool), chronic abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhoea that often occurs at the same time each day or during the night with an urgent need to defecate (tenesmus)
When Should A Person See A Doctor?
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Blood in your stool.
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Weight loss without trying.
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If you have fevers or chills that last longer than three days, see your doctor as soon as possible.
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Pain in your abdomen or rectum for two weeks without other symptoms like fever or chills.
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Weakness for no apparent reason and muscle fatigue that does not improve with rest (this could indicate IBD).
Diagnosis of IBD
It can be challenging to diagnose IBD. The doctor might recommend a combination of endoscopy, blood tests, and stool samples. These are the most common diagnostic tools used to identify IBD.
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Endoscopy is an essential part of diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
This procedure allows your doctor to inspect your small intestine for any signs of inflammation or ulcers that could indicate Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
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The doctor inserts an endoscope into your rectum to examine the colon lining
If you have Crohn's disease, the doctor may also perform a biopsy during this procedure by removing small pieces of tissue samples from inflamed areas and analysing them under a microscope.
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IBD can be difficult to live with, but treatment options are available
IBD is a chronic condition manageable with proper treatment. Treatment for IBD includes medication and surgery.
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Surgery for ulcerative colitis
To help heal the damaged parts of your colon, you may need IBD surgery in Delhi. Surgery may include removing a section of your colon or all or part of your large bowel (colon). You may need emergency surgery if a patient has symptoms, such as severe bleeding or rectal prolapse.
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Medication
Doctors may recommend several medicines based on symptoms and conditions.
How To Prevent IBD?
Some studies show that smoking may increase your chance of developing Crohn's disease.
It's essential to avoid smoking because it increases your risk for many health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease and stroke. Manipal Hospitals, Delhi, is a leading hospital in India that offers the best inflammatory bowel disease treatment in Delhi. Visit us for the best IBD treatment in Delhi. We invite you to read more blogs related to bowel health by our expert doctors.
Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences
Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, Delhi
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