Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition that directly affects the digestive system. The symptoms of IBD can be bothersome - they include abdominal cramps, gas, constipation and diarrhea. They can vary and may last for days, weeks or months. Despite the relatively high prevalence of IBD, the disease is surrounded by misinformation and myth.
According to statistics from 2022, IBD affects an estimated 6.8 million people worldwide. The most common forms of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Both of these conditions relate to chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Here are the top 10 IBD myths
1. IBD is the same as IBS
IBD and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affect the digestive system, but the two conditions are not the same.
IBS is a disorder of the interaction between the gut and the brain leading to diarrhea, constipation along with gas and pain. These symptoms can worsen when exposed to stress and anxiety.
IBD, on the other hand, is a disorder of the immune system in which it begins to attack its own gastrointestinal system, causing damage. IBD can lead to stress, increased anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation due to its devastating effect on human functioning. Symptoms may include bloody stools, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, fever, chills, anal pain, fatigue, and more.
2. IBD is the result of stress
IBD is driven by the immune system, so stress isn't the direct cause of the disease. Stress can definitely worsen symptoms in some people, but it is not a predisposing factor for the development of IBD.
3. You may have Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis at the same time
It's a myth. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common forms of IBD. However, they are separate conditions, and you cannot have both at the same time.
4. No treatment can ease the course of IBD
Luckily, that's not true. There are many treatments that are extremely effective for IBD, depending on how severe the disease is.
Work on the development of new drugs is ongoing. Currently, biological and immunosuppressive drugs are used.
5. Everyone with IBD needs surgery
It's a myth. In the past, most people with IBD would have undergone surgery, but with the advent of highly effective and safe immunosuppressive drugs, the number of surgeries has dropped significantly over the past 20 years.
According to Crohn's & Colitis UK, around 15 percent people with ulcerative colitis will require surgery 10 years after diagnosis. However, the available therapies are reducing this percentage.
The goal of treatment is to prevent surgery due to complications from bowel damage. Initiating drug therapy early in the disease prevents damage, thus eliminating the need for surgery.
6. Pregnant women should not take IBD medications
This is not true. Most IBD medications are very safe to use during pregnancy. The goal is to maintain remission in women with IBD during pregnancy, as the worst thing that can happen to both baby and mother is disease activity.
7. You can stop taking your medication if your symptoms improve
This is not true. Once IBD medications start to work and your symptoms resolve, it may be tempting to stop taking them, but this is not recommended by doctors. Stopping treatment can have serious consequences - your symptoms may come back and they may not work when you start taking your medicines again.
8. A gluten-free diet cures IBD
It's a myth. A gluten-free diet works for patients with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, but will not benefit people with IBD.
9. IBD only affects the gut
Although IBD affects the gut significantly, the disease can have ramifications in many other parts of the body as well. In addition to the gastrointestinal system, IBD can have extraintestinal symptoms, affecting the skin, eyes, and joints. IBD symptoms can affect almost any organ system and present a serious challenge for clinicians.
10. IBD is curable
There is currently no cure for IBD. However, scientists are working tirelessly to understand this condition so that they can design better treatments.
Thanks to proper medical treatment and sometimes surgery, IBD patients can fortunately live a completely normal life.