Is There a Link Between Obesity and Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

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Would you like to learn more about inflammatory bowel disease causes? Do you suspect that you might have such a condition? It is unfortunate that many individuals continue to suffer in silence without appreciating the main symptoms, the long-term impacts and the potential treatment options that could be available. Let us take a quick look at bowel-related illnesses in slightly more detail.

What are the Signs of Inflammatory Bowel Disorder?

Often referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there are several indications that an issue may be present. A handful of the most prevalent include:

  • Pain or cramps in the abdominal region.
  • Unexplained fatigue.
  • Weight loss.
  • Bloody stools.
  • Chronic diarrhea.

Note that one of the main indicators of IBD involves how long one or more of the symptoms mentioned above persist. For instance, those who are infected with a virus or happen to suffer from food poisoning will often exhibit the same indicators. Thus, IBD will often be diagnosed if the reported symptoms are more chronic in nature (lasting for more than six to eight weeks at a time).

Another signal that IBD may be present involves when it occurs. Some individuals will begin to exhibit the symptoms outlined above during high states of emotional stress or immediately after consuming specific foods. In either of these cases, a physician may lean towards an IBD diagnosis as opposed to an acute (short-term) illness.

What is the Most Common Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

There are actually two conditions which represent the majority of IBD diagnosis:

  • Ulcerative colitis.
  • Crohn’s disease.

Ulcerative colitis is mainly associated with sores that develop within the digestive tract. If left unchecked over time, these can evolve into ulcers and cause a significant amount of discomfort.

Crohn’s disease is a condition more associated with an inflammation of the digestive tract. As it is more generalized in nature, symptoms can be more diffuse. Examples include abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and even malnutrition. Crohn’s disease is thought to be an autoimmune response from the body and while the exact causes are unknown, most experts believe that emotional stress can exacerbate the symptoms previously highlighted.

Causes of inflammatory bowel disease

Are Bowel Disorders Serious?

Now that we have quickly examined some of the most common inflammatory bowel disease causes, it is important to address a more practical issue. How serious are these conditions? One of the metrics that will determine the answer involves the severity of the symptoms themselves.

For instance, those who suffer from regular abdominal pain may be hesitant to eat certain foods. This can lead to malnutrition if left unchecked. Ulcerative colitis could likewise cause severe ulcers to eventually develop, requiring targeted medical intervention.

Another lesser-known concern involves the emotional impact that any type of inflammatory bowel disease can have. Many sufferers are hesitant to go out in public for fear of having to suddenly use the bathroom. This may result in feelings of social isolation in some cases, even depression. This is why addressing the psychological side of IBD is just as important as accurately diagnosing the physical symptoms.

Is it Possible to Cure Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

IBD is one of the diseases associated with obesity on many occasions. This arises from the fact that inflammatory responses within the body will often lead to weight gain over time. So, are there any ways in which such a condition can be cured? This ultimately depends on the root cause.

For instance, it may be possible to develop coping mechanisms if the symptoms are found to be psychosomatic (psychologically driven). Crohn’s disease can likewise be alleviated to a certain extent by modifying dietary habits. Having said this, some illnesses could be chronic in nature. In this case, the main intention is to mitigate the impacts upon one’s lifestyle. This can help to provide a sense of much-needed relief.

If you are considering being fitted with a Spatz3 adjustable gastric balloon and should you already suffer from some form of IBD, it is prudent to speak with a physician in advance. There are even instances when the use of bariatric surgery can alleviate the issues mentioned above. Addressing possible inflammatory bowel disease causes represents the first step towards enjoying a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.

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