Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
4/7/2023
Many individuals experience the unpleasant gastrointestinal (GI) effects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and think they’ll have to endure these symptoms for the rest of their lives. However, our Utah gastroenterologists want you to know you do not have to live in constant discomfort. Assistance is available — and it might be closer than you think. At Utah Gastroenterology, our team provides care for patients throughout the Salt Lake City and St. George, UT areas. We work to alleviate GI symptoms and offer a range of treatments to help you enjoy a better quality of life.
What is IBD?
IBD is the chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. There are two conditions you’ve likely heard of that fall within this category — ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. While it might only seem like an unpleasant condition you have to live with, IBD can result in irreversible damage to the GI tract over time.
Though the actual cause of this disease has not been established, it is often associated with an unchecked immune system. A person with IBD is thought to have an immune system that is not responding properly to environmental triggers (such as viruses and bacteria) and has a parent or sibling with inflammatory bowel disease.
General signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease include:
- Loose and watery stool
- Difficulty having a bowel movement
- Fatigue
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Bloody stool
- Abdominal pain
How is IBD treated?
After a diagnosis of IBD, our primary goal is to minimize inflammation within the intestine to relieve as many symptoms as possible. There are a number of treatments we can try, and our goal is that, in the long run, you will experience long-lasting freedom from discomfort. IBD treatments may include:
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Dietary changes
- Vitamin D, iron, calcium, and other supplements
The GI specialists at Utah Gastroenterology are here to help you to find a treatment regimen ideal for your health needs. It may involve a bit of investigation to identify the right option to reduce your discomfort and GI inflammation, but we will be with you throughout the process to determine the proper solution for your needs.
Get help for inflammatory bowel disease in Utah
If you suffer from stomach pain, constipation, loose and/or watery stool, or other GI symptoms daily or weekly, it might be due to inflammatory bowel disease. At Utah Gastroenterology, our team of GI doctors is here to diagnose, treat, and help control inflammatory bowel disease and the symptoms that come along with it. If you think you might have IBD and would like to experience fewer symptoms and a better quality of life, we would love to help. Please request a consultation at one of our Greater Salt Lake City or St. George, UT locations.