Know the Symptoms of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
4/7/2023
A number of people today suffer from the challenging symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and assume these symptoms are just something they have to deal with. Our board-certified gastroenterologists in Illinois want you to know that you don’t have to endure this discomfort. Support is available — and it may be closer than you think. At GI Alliance of Illinois, we strive to educate patients on gastrointestinal (GI) problems and offer various treatment methods to help get them back to enjoying their life. We have locations throughout Chicago, Egin, Peoria, Arlington Heights, Gurnee, Hinsdale, and the surrounding areas.
What is IBD?
Inflammatory bowel disease is known as chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. You’ve probably heard of two conditions categorized in this disease — ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. These conditions may seem like discomfort you simply have to accept. However, inflammation of the intestines can damage the gastrointestinal tract in time and should be managed with the help of a GI specialist.
While the cause of IBD has yet to be determined, it’s often related to a weakened immune system. It is thought that a person with inflammatory bowel disease has an immune system that is not reacting to environmental triggers (viruses or bacteria) correctly and has a family member with inflammatory bowel disease.
Common signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease are:
- Difficulty having a bowel movement
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody stool
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Unintentional weight loss
How is inflammatory bowel disease treated?
After a diagnosis of IBD, our main course of action is to minimize intestinal inflammation to help reduce the associated symptoms. There are a number of treatment options we can try, and our goal is that, ultimately, you will experience long-lasting freedom from discomfort. IBD treatments may include:
- Changes to your diet
- Supplements such as Vitamin D, iron, calcium, and more
- Anti-inflammatory medicine
- Anti-diarrheal medicine
Our GI specialists in Chicago, Egin, Peoria, Arlington Heights, Gurnee, Hinsdale, and the surrounding Illinois areas are here to help you find a treatment regimen that meets your needs. Determining the option that helps minimize your symptoms and inflammation may take some trial and error. But our team will work with you to find the proper solution for your health and wellness.
Help for inflammatory bowel disease in Illinois
If you suffer from symptoms such as stomach pain, constipation, loose and watery stool, or other GI issues on a regular basis, it could be a sign of inflammatory bowel disease. At GI Alliance of Illinois, our board-certified gastroenterologists can help detect, evaluate, and control IBD and the unpleasant symptoms that are associated with it. If you are worried you may have inflammatory bowel disease and would like to get back to living with fewer symptoms, please contact your closest GI Alliance of Illinois location to schedule an appointment.