Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Ulcerative colitis is where the lining of the large intestine (the bowel and the colon) and the rectum become inflamed. The inflammation typically begins in the rectum and the lower intestine (sigmoid) and then spreads upward to the rest of the colon.
There are several inflammatory bowel disease all of which need to be diagnosed by a doctor as well as to be treated by a doctor. Two of the more common inflammatory bowel diseases are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Irritable bowel syndrome is an intestinal disorder that some people have misconceptions about and call the disease by other names incorrectly such as colitis, mucous colitis, spastic colon, spastic bowel or functional bowel disease. IBS is a functional disorder.
Ulcerative colitis is where the lining of the large intestine (the bowel and the colon) and the rectum become inflamed. The inflammation typically begins in the rectum and the lower intestine (sigmoid) and then spreads upward to the rest of the colon.
The symptoms include diarrhea and frequent need to empty the colon. Ulcers (open sores) form that cause pus, mucus and bleeding. This disease can run in families and usually affects individuals age 15 to 40. Males and females can have this disease. This disease requires long-term care and there may be remissions (periods of no symptoms). Remissions can last for months or even years. Symptoms do return though as it is a long-term disease. The disease is rarely fatal and in those cases fatality is due to complications. The risk for individuals with ulcerative colitis to get colon cancer is no higher than anyone else.
Individual with ulcerative colitis can experience different symptoms but the most common ones are: abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, anemia which is caused by the rectal bleeding, fatigue, loss of body fluids and nutrients, weight loss, and also loss of appetite.
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The food and liquid follow the tract in orderly fashion being moved along by these involuntary movements. The first area that the food and liquid pass through is the esophagus, then the stomach. The stomach has 3 functions to complete in the digestive process. The stomach stores, mixes and empties food and liquid.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Individuals with ulcerative colitis may also experience anemia, inflammation of the eyes, liver disorders, osteoporosis, joint pain, skin lesions, rashes and kidney stones.
Crohn's disease:
This is a chronic condition that involves the small intestine. Inflammation may involve the entire digestive tract, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, appendix, duodenum and also the anus. You may also hear Crohn's disease called ileitis or enteritis. Crohn's disease runs in families, and occurs in both males and females.
The symptoms are abdominal pain, usually in the lower right area of the abdomen, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and fever and weight loss.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):
An individual with IBS may experience cramps, gas, bloating, and also changes in their normal bowel habits. Stress may worsen IBS but it does not cause it.
IBS does NOT cause permanent harm to the intestines; it does not lead to intestinal bleeding of the bowel and does not lead to any serious disease such as cancer. There is also NO link between IBS and Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
The person with IBS has a more sensitive colon than the average person. It does not take much for the colon to spasm when the person has IBS. Women who have IBS tend to have more symptoms during their period, which may mean that the reproductive hormones have something to do with increased IBS symptoms.
There are triggers for IBS including diet and stress. News on Digestive Disorders
09/03/2010
WATCH: Pakistani Children of the Floods
Two million children are estimated to be at risk for diarrhea and dehydration. Diarrhea - Dehydration - Health - Conditions and Diseases - Digestive Disorders
WATCH: Pakistani Children of the Floods
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Colonoscopy repeats greater with non-specialists
Older adults who have a colonoscopy performed by a family doctor, internist or general surgeon are somewhat more likely to need another one within a year compared with those who have the procedure done by a gastroenterologist, a new report finds.
Colonoscopy repeats greater with non-specialists
09/03/2010
Colonoscopy repeats greater with non-specialists
Older adults who have a colonoscopy performed by a family doctor, internist or general surgeon are somewhat more likely to need another one within a year compared with those who have the procedure done by a gastroenterologist, a new report finds.
Colonoscopy repeats greater with non-specialists
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Lower surgery risk for Crohn's disease
PROVIDENCE, R.I., Sept. 3 (UPI) -- The risk of bowel surgery for Crohn's disease in children is lower than previously reported, a U.S. physician says. Crohn's disease - Inflammatory bowel disease - Health - Conditions and Diseases - Digestive Disorders
Lower surgery risk for Crohn's disease
09/03/2010
WATCH: Pakistani Children of the Floods
Two million children are estimated to be at risk for diarrhea and dehydration. Diarrhea - Dehydration - Health - Conditions and Diseases - Digestive Disorders
WATCH: Pakistani Children of the Floods
09/03/2010
Bone-building drugs double the risk of esophageal cancer, but the risk is still small
The family of bone-building drugs that includes Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva can double the risk of developing throat cancer, researchers reported Thursday in the latest development in what has become a confusing discussion. Other studies have reported no increase, but even if the newest finding is correct, the risk is still quite small--about two cases per 1,000 people between age 60 and 79 ...
Bone-building drugs double the risk of esophageal cancer, but the risk is still small
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