Description:

Digestive problems are among the most common conditions affecting Americans today. There are many different types of digestive problems, from gastrointestinal infections that make a person miserable but pass quickly to long-term illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a general term that refers to illnesses that cause chronic inflammation in the intestines. If you're having diarrhea, stomach cramps, and other symptoms that make you question your digestion, you may want to learn more about the digestive system and IBD, as well as other digestive conditions.

What Is IBD?
The digestive system is the set of organs that digest food and absorb the important nutrients your body needs to stay healthy and grow. Two of the major parts of the digestive system are the small and large intestines. Just like other organs in your body, the intestines can develop problems or diseases.

IBD (which is not the same thing as irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS), can cause more serious problems than just diarrhea and pain. IBD may also cause a delay in puberty or growth problems for some teens with the condition, because it can interfere with a person getting nutrients from the foods he or she eats.

The two major types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Who Gets IBD?
IBD is most likely to occur in people in their late teens and twenties. However, kids as young as 5 years old have been known to develop IBD. It affects both guys and girls.

The exact cause of IBD is not known. Because it often runs in families, genetic factors are probably involved. About 15% to 30% of people with IBD have a relative with the disease. Research is being done to find out if a certain gene or group of genes makes a person more likely to get the disease.

What Do Doctors Do?
If you have any of the symptoms of IBD, it's important to see your doctor. In addition to doing a physical examination, the doctor will ask you about any concerns and symptoms you have, your past health, your family's health, any medications you're taking, any allergies you may have, and other issues. This is called the medical history.

After hearing your symptoms, if your doctor suspects IBD, he or she may suggest certain tests. Blood tests may be done to determine if there are signs of inflammation in your body, which are often present with IBD. The doctor may also check for anemia and for other causes of your symptoms, like infection.

The doctor will examine your stool for the presence of blood. He or she may look at your colon with an instrument called an endoscope, which is a long, thin tube attached to a TV monitor. The tube is inserted through the anus. This procedure is called a colonoscopy, which allows the doctor to see inflammation, bleeding, or ulcers on the wall of your colon. A doctor may also do a test called an upper endoscopy to check the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine for inflammation, bleeding, or ulcers. During the exam, the doctor may perform a biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of tissue from part of the colon so it can be viewed with a microscope or sent to a laboratory for other kinds of analysis.

A doctor may also order a barium study of the intestines. This procedure involves drinking a thick white solution called barium. The barium shows up white on an X-ray film, allowing a doctor to get a better look at what's going on in a person's intestines.

How Is IBD Treated?
There are a number of ways to manage the symptoms of IBD. Some treatments include:

Nutritional Therapy
It is important for people with IBD to eat healthy foods and drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost through diarrhea. People with IBD should work with a doctor or a dietitian to come up with an eating plan that is best for their individual situation and symptoms.

For example, some people are told to cut down on the amount of fiber or dairy products in their diets, whereas others find that their symptoms improve if they cut back on foods that are high in fat or sugar. If you've been diagnosed with IBD, your doctor might ask you to keep a food diary so that you can find out which foods make your symptoms worse.

If you're having trouble maintaining or gaining weight, your doctor may recommend that you take nutritional supplements or special drinks or shakes that contain needed vitamins, minerals, and calories.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.