Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis are chronic and systemic inflammatory diseases of unknown cause, which can be seen in all age groups and genders, and can affect the entire gastrointestinal system. Due to May 19, World Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Day, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Association Chairman of the Board Prof. Dr. Filiz Akyüz made important statements for the patients.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) are chronic systemic inflammatory diseases that can involve the entire gastrointestinal tract, have unknown etiology and pathophysiology, progress with remission and exacerbations, and cause extra-intestinal findings. The condition that triggers IBD is not known exactly, but three main mechanisms are thought to trigger the disease. These are genetic predisposition, impaired immune system regulation and environmental antigen exposure.
The most common symptoms of Crohn's disease are abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness, fatigue, and hematochezia (bloody stool), particularly prominent in the right lower quadrant. Severe disease may also be accompanied by fever and weight loss. Some patients may also experience abdominal distention (bloating), constipation, and obstruction symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Symptoms seen in the presence of perianal involvement are pain and discharge. In the presence of abscess, fever may accompany.
The most common symptoms in ulcerative colitis are hematochezia, diarrhea, tenesmus, urgency to defecate, and abdominal pain. In the presence of severe and severe colonic involvement, patients may also experience weight loss and fever.
Gastroenterologist makes the final diagnosis in inflammatory bowel diseases.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Association Chairman of the Board Prof. Dr. Filiz Akyüz: “IBD diseases start at a young age (early onset) at a rate of 10-15 percent. However, IBD can be seen equally in all pediatric and geriatric age groups and in both genders. The incidence and prevalence of IBD has been increasing over the years all over the world.
Stating that the diagnosis of the disease is made by history, physical examination, laboratory tests, invasive and non-invasive imaging methods and pathological examination of endoscopic biopsy material, Prof. Dr. Filiz Akyüz: “In primary care, internal medicine specialists and general surgeons refer patients to gastroenterologists with a preliminary diagnosis. The final diagnosis is made by the gastroenterologist. It is important to question the family history because of the genetic transmission of the disease. It is thought that the effect of genetic factors is more dominant in Crohn's disease than ulcerative colitis.
The disease has exacerbation and sleep periods.
Emphasizing that the disease is dormant during the recovery period, it is symptomatic during the exacerbation period, Prof. Dr. Filiz Akyüz added: “IBD is considered a systemic disease. Although IBD mainly affects the digestive system, it can also affect other organs and systems with different mechanisms. Musculoskeletal involvement in IBD has been reported as the most common extraintestinal involvement. Most extraintestinal symptoms parallel disease activity. Pathologies of the liver, biliary tract and spleen; It may be extra-intestinal involvement of the disease, or it may be due to the effect of treatments or concomitant diseases.”
All the questions about inflammatory bowel disease are in the IBD Control mobile application.
Pointing out that artificial intelligence is used especially for endoscopic activity evaluation and cancer screening as in every field, Prof. Dr. Filiz Akyüz also stated that genetic and microbiota studies and studies related to the response to biological treatments and predicting disease recurrences are carried out all over the world.
prof. Dr. Filiz Akyüz said that all questions about inflammatory bowel disease can be found in the My IBD Control mobile application and added: “The mobile application gives patients the chance to obtain information about the disease easily. It can enable patients to evaluate disease activities and provide healthy information to their physicians. “IBH In My Control” is also the first Turkish application prepared for inflammatory bowel patients, which differs from the examples abroad with its feature of finding the nearest hospital and toilet as an innovative solution. The “IBD is in My Control” application running on iOS and Android operating systems for patients and their relatives can be easily downloaded free of charge from AppStore and Google PlayStore.”
IBD patients should pay attention to their lifestyle
prof. Dr. Filiz Akyüz: “IBD patients can do any sport suitable for their age while the disease is asleep. In the active period, we do not recommend heavy exercise and sports. As a lifestyle change, we recommend not to consume regular sleep, smoking, alcohol, packaged food and carbohydrates. Even if there is a need for support, patients should not hesitate to get support from a psychiatrist. They should stay away from the restless work environment and should not be in the environment where they receive negative energy. There may be frequent toilet needs, especially during the active period. If they are well, they may have to come to the hospital for regular checkups and medication. For this reason, helping workplaces in this regard will increase work efficiency rather than reduce it.”
IBD patients should take symptoms seriously
Although we live in a country where it is fast and easy to reach a doctor, Prof. Dr. Filiz Akyüz: “For this reason, perhaps, as in other diseases, public service announcements can be prepared to inform about the disease. IBD can also be included in the diagnosis and treatment guidelines prepared jointly with the Ministry of Health for physicians.
Drawing attention to the fact that distress and stress triggered the disease in patients with IBD in the region of the great earthquake disaster, the disease may flare up again due to the difficulty in accessing drugs and especially biological drugs in the region, and also the difficulties in finding and using toilets. Dr. Filiz Akyüz advised the patients to temporarily move to places where conditions are good.