According to "RN," inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, refers to several chronic digestive disorders believed to the be result of the immune system mistakenly attacking the bowel. Diseases included in IBD include crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD is characterized by a sudden, unpredictable bout of diarrhea and abdominal pain.
History
According to "RN," no single cause for IBD has been established. One theory for the cause is that the body reacts aggressively to an unidentified virus or bacteria by causing inflammation of the intestine. Genetics also appears to play a role in the development of IBD. A patient who has a relative with the disease is 10 times more likely to develop the disease than someone in the general population. Diet is not the cause of IBD, but dietary modifications are essential in controlling symptoms.
Crohn's or Colitis
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are both consider IBD. Both will cause diarrhea and abdominal pain, but there are important differences between the two conditions. Each condition affects a different region of the intestinal tract.
Symptoms
Although both crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are both considered IBD, symptoms are different. In crohn's disease, full thickness of the layers of the bowel are affected. The entire abdominal wall is edematous and inflamed, leading to rigidity and loss of contractions of the digestive track. Patients will present with low grade fever, weight loss, intermittent non-bloody diarrhea and a palpable tender mass in the right lower quadrant. In ulcerative colitis the lining of the bowel is affected, causing inflammation. The patients will present with diarrhea, abdominal cramping and rectal bleeding. The abdominal pain is relieved following a bowel movement. If left untreated, crohn's disease can lead to fistulas, which are abnormal connections between organs, intestines or other structures that do not normally connect. Fistulas can form an abscess and become infected. Ulcerative colitis can lead to massive gastro-intestinal bleeding.
Diet and Nutrition
Irritable bowel disease puts a patient at a risk for malabsorption and malnutrition. Foods high in fiber, fat and lactose can increase the diarrhea and abdominal pain. According to "Better Nutrition," the most common problem foods may include seeds, nuts, raw fruits and vegetables, and leafy greens. In addition, products that contain caffeine and spicy foods can aggravate the symptoms.
Patients with IBS still need a adequate intake of calories and nutrients. Protein from meats, fish, poultry and eggs are recommended. Fruits and vegetables cooked, without skin or seeds are generally well tolerated. Consuming adequate fluids are important for patients with ulcerative colitis. "Better Nutrition," recommends eight to 10 glasses of fluid per day.
Dietary Supplements
During periods of excessive diarrhea, patients may need dietary supplements, particularly vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Nutritional deficiencies are due to malabsorption. The overall nutritional recommendations for patients with IBD are individualized based on the extend of the disease. According to "Nutrition and Diet Therapy," to maintain nutritional status, foods should not be eliminated from the patients diet without a fair trial.
References
- "RN;" Inflammatory bowel disease: Veronesi; May 2003
- "Better Nutrition;" Nutritional Rx for Crohn's and Colitis; Figeras; May 2010
- "Nutrition and Diet Therapy;" F.A. Davis; 2011
