Often feel abdominal pain, even for months? It could be a symptom of inflammatory bowel disease. This condition certainly should not be underestimated, because the symptoms of inflammation of the intestines that are not treated can develop into dangerous complications.
Inflammation of the intestine, or in medical terms called inflammatory bowel disease, is a chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive tract. The cause of colitis is still not known with certainty, but this disease is thought to occur due to disorders of the immune system.
Inflammation of the intestines consists of 2 types of diseases, namely ulcerative colitis and ulcerative colitisCrohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation that occurs in the large intestine (colon) to the anus (rectum).Crohn's disease is inflammation that can occur throughout the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus.
Various Symptoms of Inflammation of the Bowel
Inflammation of the intestines can occur at any age, but is more common at the age of 15-30 years. Symptoms of colitis generally recur. So, there will be periods when people with inflammatory bowel disease don't feel any symptoms at all.
When it recurs, the symptoms of colitis that appear can vary, depending on the location of the inflammation in the digestive tract. The following are some of the most common symptoms of colitis that sufferers feel:
1. Stomach pain
Abdominal pain is the main symptom of colitis. The location of abdominal pain experienced by sufferers varies, depending on the type of intestinal inflammation that occurs. Pain can also be different.
Pain in ulcerative colitis will be more common in the lower left abdomen and can feel like cramping or the feeling of wanting to have a bowel movement (BAB). While on Crohn's disease, pain can occur anywhere, but most often is in the middle of the abdomen or lower right.
2. Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be a symptom of intestinal inflammation when it recurs, even diarrhea can also be bloody. Unlike diarrhea in general, diarrhea due to intestinal inflammation cannot be cured by itself or with ordinary medicines. In severe cases, diarrhea can even reach 10 times a day.
3. Fever
Fever can be a sign of inflammation in the body, including the intestines. Fever from inflammatory bowel disease can sometimes be accompanied by other symptoms of colitis, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.
If the fever lasts more than 3 days for no apparent reason and without accompanying symptoms, it is possible that the fever is a symptom of recurrent intestinal inflammation, or it may also appear for the first time.
4. Decreased appetite
Decreased appetite is also one of the symptoms of intestinal inflammation. This condition often occurs due to other symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, such as nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. Inflammation of the intestines can also have complications of thrush in the mouth, making eating uncomfortable and painful.
5. Bloody CHAPTER
Bloody stools are one of the most common symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease in ulcerative colitis, although this condition can also be caused by: Crohn's disease. Blood that comes out with feces indicates that there is a wound in the digestive tract caused by inflammation.
In addition, bloody stools can also occur due to hemorrhoids, a common condition in people with inflammatory bowel disease who often experience diarrhea.
Inflammatory Bowel Complications
If the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease are not treated properly, this condition can lead to a number of dangerous complications. Some of the complications that can arise are:
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Intestinal obstruction (obstruction)
- Formation of abnormal passages (fistulas) in the intestines or anus
- Sores or tears in the anus (anal fissures)
- Blockages in the intestinal blood vessels
- Megacolon
- Tear (perforation) of the large intestine
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Colon cancer
As a preventive measure so that colitis does not cause complications, you are encouraged to always adopt a healthy lifestyle, starting from eating a healthy and balanced diet, exercising regularly, to quitting smoking.
In addition, identify and avoid triggers that can cause your inflammatory bowel symptoms to recur. If this complaint recurs due to certain triggers, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.