What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's & Colitis)?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), describes two separate but similar conditions called Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These diseases affect the gastrointestinal tract and cause the intestinal tissue to become inflamed, form sores and bleed easily.  

Crohn's Disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. Inflammation occurs in patches throughout the tract, and the inflammation can affect every layer of affected bowel tissue.  

Ulcerative Colitis affects only the inner layer of the colon (large intestine). It always starts in the rectum and may extend as a continuous inflammation throughout the rest of the colon.

What causes Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's & Colitis)?

It is likely caused by a combination of factors. There may be a genetic predisposition, and some trigger in the environment sets up the inflammation. In the predisposed individual, this inflammation does not go away. Instead of helping, the intestinal immune system may allow the inflammation to persist.

There is also some recent research that suggests that an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the intestinal tract may be a contributing cause. Many sufferers have found that certain medications such as antibiotics have triggered attacks.

This is possible if the antibiotics have killed off the good bacteria in their intestinal tract, which allows for bad bacteria to overgrow.

What are the signs and symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's & Colitis)?

Crohn’s Symptoms

Since the disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, people with Crohn’s have very diverse symptoms. The most common symptoms are:

• cramping in the abdomen
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• Other symptoms may include:
• fatigue
• nausea
• vomiting
• bloating
• canker sores
• distinct swelling in the abdomen
• perianal disease (disease around the anus)
• unexplained fevers
• sores around the anus
• pain or swelling in the joints
• anemia

Some children with Crohn’s disease may grow more slowly than their peers, and puberty may start late, but they will eventually catch up.

Colitis Symptoms

The most common symptom is bloody diarrhea. They may also have the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Mild fever
• When the rectum is inflamed and in spasm, they may feel rushed to evacuate the bowel, though nothing happens. This is called a “false urge.”

How common is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's & Colitis)?

An estimated 170,000 Canadian men and women suffer from IBD. Canada is believed to have one of the highest incidence rates of IBD in the world.

(Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada, 2006).

What health problems are caused by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's & Colitis)?

Sometimes people with IBD may become severely nutritionally deficient. They may need specialized feedings, liquid diets or intravenous feedings. 

Consequences of Crohn’s

 

• Blockages can develop when diseased tissue scars and thickens until food can’t pass through it. Surgery may be needed to remove an obstruction or the blockage
• Abscesses in the intestines
• Fistulas. This may require removing the section of intestine where the fistula has developed.

People who have Crohn’s disease may have surgery to remove diseased segments of the ileum, leaving less nutrient-absorbing tissue to process required vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. 

Consequences of Colitis 

• Toxic megacolon (emergency surgery may be required)
• Extensive bleeding (emergency surgery may be required)
• The colon may becomes cancerous or pre-cancerous and they may have surgery to remove the colon.

If the colon is removed waste can no longer be stored or expelled in the usual way. Most people who have had their colons removed must wear an external bag to collect waste.

What can be done to help with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's & Colitis)?

The following products can help alleviate the symptoms of IBD and in many cases provide significant relief.

To rebuild and repair and to help with the actual symptoms.

• IntestiNEW -  to rebuild the intestinal lining

• Irritable Bowel Soother - for acute attacks

Probiotics - to replace good bacteria.

• Ultimate Flora Critical Care when symptoms are not under control.
• FloraSMART Extra Strength when symptoms are under control.

To reduce inflammation

• FishSMART