Understand the Signs of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
4/7/2023
Many people living today suffer from the challenging gastrointestinal (GI) signs of inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, and often think it is just a reality they’ll have to experience for the rest of their lives. Our gastroenterology providers in San Antonio, TX want to make it clear, however, that you don’t need to submit to this discomfort. Support is available to you — and it’s right around the corner. At San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates, we want to educate our patients on their gastro problems and offer a number of diverse treatment methods that can get them back to enjoying their lives.
What is IBD?
Inflammatory bowel disease is known as chronic inflammation of a person’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract. You’ve most likely heard of two conditions that fall into this category — Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These conditions may seem like an irritating symptom you have to deal with, but inflammation of the intestines can cause permanent damage to the GI tract over time.
Although the actual cause of inflammatory bowel disease has not been determined, it’s generally linked to a malfunctioning immune system. It’s thought that a patient with this disease has an immune system that is not responding to environmental triggers (viruses or bacteria) appropriately and has a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle who has inflammatory bowel disease.
The most common signs and symptoms of IBD are:
- Loose and watery stool
- Stomach pain
- Bloody stool
- Unexpected loss of weight
- Fatigue
- Difficulty having a bowel movement
How is IBD alleviated?
After a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, we strive to minimize inflammation of your intestines, reducing many of your symptoms. There are several treatment options we can try, and our goal is that, ultimately, you will experience long-lasting freedom from discomfort. Some common successful treatments are:
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Dietary changes
- Anti-diarrheal medicines
- Supplements such as Vitamin D, iron, calcium, and more
Our San Antonio, TX gastro specialists are here to help you find a course of treatment that suits your needs. It may entail a little bit of experimentation to determine the proper treatment that can alleviate discomfort and intestinal inflammation; however, our providers will help you along during the process to determine the right solution.
Get help for IBD in San Antonio, TX
If you suffer from stomach pain, constipation, loose and/or watery stool, or other bothersome GI problems on a daily or weekly basis, it could be IBD. At San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates in San Antonio, TX, our board-certified gastroenterologists can help determine, diagnose, treat, and regulate IBD and the uncomfortable symptoms that are associated with it. If you suspect you may have IBD and want to start living life with less stress and symptoms, contact your nearby San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates to request an appointment.