Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Lubbock, TX
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Find a ProviderWhat is IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)?
IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) is the overall description of swelling in your digestive tract. IBD can be categorized into two similar but separate diseases:
- Crohn’s disease: Crohn's disease results in uncomfortable inflammation of the GI tract, specifically the colon. It is generally found at the end of the small intestine at the start of the colon but could impact any area of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus.
- Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis can also present through inflammation of the colon but is generally accompanied by ulcers. This condition is restricted to the colon.
The gastrointestinal specialists at Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates commonly diagnose and treat IBD. If you believe you could be suffering from this condition and are looking to treat inflammatory bowel disease in Lubbock, TX, please contact one of our locations to connect with a gastrointestinal provider.
What causes inflammatory bowel disease?
IBD is caused by an immune system malfunction. Just as when your body properly triggers your immune system to attack bacteria or a virus, an abnormal immune system response can attack the cells in the digestive tract. As a result, sections of the small bowel and colon become swollen. IBD does have a hereditary element and can be handed down from parent to offspring. Risk factors of inflammatory bowel disease include:
- Family history: Inflammatory bowel disease is connected to being passed down
- Ethnicity or race: Inflammatory bowel disease is most common in Caucasians and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent but can affect people of any race
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pills (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
- Geography: Inhabiting an industrialized region and/or northern areas may enhance the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease
- Smoking
- Age: The majority of people diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease are below the age of 30
What are the symptoms of IBD?
Symptoms of IBD will differ according to the condition and its intensity. The common symptoms of IBD include:
- Joint discomfort or stiffness
- Change within your menstrual cycle
- Abdominal discomfort
- Mouth sores
- Blood in your stool
- Urgent need to defecate
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Distress or drainage near or around the anus
- Sudden weight loss
- Constipation
- Stomach distress
- Rash
- Undesired weight changes
- Chronic fatigue
- Rectal pain
We recommend getting in touch with a Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates gastrointestinal specialist if you experience any persistent change in bowel habits, or notice any mix of the above symptoms.
How is IBD diagnosed?
Depending on the symptoms you are exhibiting, your Lubbock, TX provider may utilize one of the several approaches available to diagnose IBD. An endoscopy or a colonoscopy is often used to detect IBD. In some cases, additional imaging evaluations will be carried out, like an MRI, CT, or X-ray.
What are treatment options for IBD?
The main treatment goal is to reduce the inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract in an effort to reduce or eliminate symptoms. Treatment may, over time, result in long-term remission of inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment options for IBD include:
- Antibiotics
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Surgery
- Enteral nutrition (liquid supplements)
- Calcium and vitamin D supplements
- Iron supplements
- Anti-inflammatory drugs targeted at an overactive immune system
Inflammatory Bowel Disease FAQs
Is IBD genetic?
In some cases, hereditary factors can play a role in the development of inflammatory bowel disease. However, a person might be genetically prone to getting IBD yet never experience the disease. The genetic risk for developing the disease is higher with Crohn’s than with ulcerative colitis.
Can having IBD increase the risk of cancer?
Having inflammatory bowel disease does not automatically mean a patient will experience cancer. But it can elevate the chance of getting colon or rectal cancer. Managing the disease properly and controlling inflammation could help minimize the cancer risk. Talk with your Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates gastroenterologist for further information about the risk of developing cancer with IBD.
Do diet and nutrition affect inflammatory bowel disease?
Making certain changes to your diet might help reduce some of the symptoms of IBD. This can involve cutting out foods that may elicit gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort, among other unpleasant symptoms. Your gastroenterology provider can help you determine a dietary approach ideal for your needs.
Can inflammatory bowel disease be cured?
At this time, there is no known cure for inflammatory bowel disease. But there could be times when the disease becomes inactive and is in remission. IBD and its effects may be treated and managed via medications, changes to the diet, and dietary supplements.
Manage your uncomfortable IBD symptoms
IBD is not a fatal condition. However, the longer it is left unmanaged and untreated, an individual with IBD could be at risk of developing more severe conditions that could become fatal, like colon cancer. Featuring a physician-led team of gastroenterologists, a Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates location in your community has treatments available to help regulate your symptoms and improve the lives of those struggling with inflammatory bowel disease. To find help for IBD in Lubbock, TX, please contact one of our locations today.
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On time, short office wait, very good visit! Was out in an hour. Highly recommend!
Dr Sorrell is extremely intelligent. She is also kind and makes you feel comfortable, not rushed, listens to concerns and questions. You can tell she cares and loves what she does. She does not rush in and out and, before you leave she makes sure to ask if you have additional concerns or clarifications. Then, she summarizes your plan of care, walks out with you and takes you all the way to the checkout. I am very very fortunate to have her as my physician.
Dr. Kensing is amazing! He is kind, compassionate, and outspoken. His staff, including his nurse are also very kind and helpful! Response to any of my calls has been quick, efficient and professional! I am so thankful to have him for my doctor! I very highly recommend him!!
Dr Kensing took the time to explain what was happening and why . He also answered my questions.
Very knowledgeable and understanding. Very upfront about copay amounts and lets you know what to expect when you come in for your appointment.
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