Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in New Orleans, LA
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Find a ProviderWhat is IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)?
IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) is a general term to describe swelling in your digestive tract. IBD is generally categorized into two similar but distinct diseases:
- Crohn’s disease: Crohn's disease causes uncomfortable inflammation of your gastrointestinal tract, specifically your colon. It is usually found at the end of the small intestine, the beginning of the colon, and can impact any part of the gastrointestinal tract ranging from the mouth to the anus.
- Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis also presents itself through swelling of the colon but is normally accompanied by ulcers. It is restricted to the colon.
The GI providers at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates often identify and handle inflammatory bowel disease. If you believe you may be experiencing this condition and require treatment for IBD in New Orleans, LA, please reach out to us to find a gastrointestinal expert in your community.
What causes IBD?
The cause of inflammatory bowel disease is often categorized as an immune system malfunction. Just as your body can appropriately activate your immune system to deal with a virus or bacteria, an abnormal immune system can respond inappropriately and attack the cells in the digestive tract. As a result, sections of the small intestine and colon become swollen. Inflammatory bowel disease contains a genetic component and can be passed down from parent to child. Risk factors for IBD include:
- Family history: Inflammatory bowel disease is linked to being passed down genetically
- Geography: Inhabiting an industrialized area and/or northern regions may enhance the likelihood of IBD
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pills (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
- Age: The majority of individuals diagnosed with IBD are below the age of 30.
- Race or ethnicity: IBD is most common in Caucasians and people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry but can affect people of any race.
- Smoking
What are the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?
Signs of IBD will vary depending on the condition and its seriousness. Typical symptoms of IBD include:
- Sudden change in weight
- Rectal discomfort
- Blood in your stool
- Unintentional weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Urgent need to defecate
- Discomfort or drainage near or around the anus
- Rash
- Fever
- Stomach distress
- Chronic tiredness
- Mouth sores
- Abdominal discomfort
- Change of typical menstrual cycle
- Joint ache or inflexibility
Please reach out to a Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates gastroenterologist near you if you experience any constant change in bowel routines, or have any combination of the above symptoms. Request a consultation with a GI specialist in New Orleans, LA today to start on the path to wellness.
How is IBD diagnosed?
IBD may be identified through various techniques to be determined by your provider depending on your symptoms. A colonoscopy or an endoscopy is commonly utilized to detect inflammatory bowel disease. At times, additional imaging procedures will be conducted, such as CT, X-ray, or MRI.
What are treatment options for IBD?
The leading treatment objective is to alleviate the inflammation in your GI tract to reduce or relieve symptoms. Treatment could, over time, result in the long-term remission of inflammatory bowel disease. Treatments for IBD include:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs targeted at an overactive immune system
- Antibiotics
- Iron supplements
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Enteral nutrition (liquid supplements)
- Calcium and vitamin D supplements
- Surgery
Inflammatory Bowel Disease FAQs
Is inflammatory bowel disease a hereditary condition?
Among some individuals, genetic factors can influence the development of IBD. However, an individual could be genetically inclined to get inflammatory bowel disease but never develop the disease. The genetic risk of disease occurrence is greater with Crohn’s disease when compared with ulcerative colitis.
Can having IBD increase the chance of getting cancer?
Developing inflammatory bowel disease does not mean that a patient will experience cancer. However, having the disorder can elevate the chance of developing colon cancer. Managing the disease properly and managing inflammation could help reduce the cancer risk. Speak with your Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates gastrointestinal specialist to find out further details about the risk of developing cancer with inflammatory bowel disease.
Does my diet have an effect on inflammatory bowel disease?
Certain dietary changes might help minimize some of the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. This may include not eating foods that could induce gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea, along with other unpleasant symptoms. Your gastrointestinal provider can help you determine an ideal dietary plan for you.
Will inflammatory bowel disease ever go away?
Presently, there is no identified cure for inflammatory bowel disease. But there may be instances when the disease is inactive and falls into remission. Inflammatory bowel disease and its symptoms may be treated and controlled through medications, diet modifications, and dietary supplements.
Experienced care for IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease is not a fatal condition. However, if left unmanaged and untreated, in time, a person with IBD can experience increased complications that may be deadly. Furthermore, leaving IBD uncared for can lead to an increased risk of developing colon cancer. Featuring a highly experienced network of GI physicians, Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates has treatment to help regulate the signs and boost the lives of those living with inflammatory bowel disease. To receive help for IBD in New Orleans, LA, please contact a location near you today to request a consultation.
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Sweetest most caring Doctor ever! He always go above and beyond to make sure I'm not dying he took great care of me during a simple procedure, he always answers all of my questions he even point out things I wasn't visiting his for he really wants to see me healthy it's not easy finding a great Dr. LIKE Dr. MARK WEGMANN
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Dr. Mayer is a doctor who cares and provides effective medical care. He takes the guest work out of his service by examining his patients, asking all the necessary questions before any procedure is considered. I would highly recommend him too people in need.
I have been seeing Dr. Brenner for over 25 years. I would not trust another gastroenterologist! In fact last year when my 92 year old father was ill and I thought it could possibly be related his digestion I immediately made an appointment with Dr. Brenner because I would have trusted him to anyone else! He is brilliant, compassionate and thorough and works very hard to individualize his treatment plans to his patient and gives his time and energy to insure that each of his patients get the utmost and total and Complete Care! If you have a gastric problem I highly recommend you go to him. And I am not the only person I know who feels this way! I have a friend who has also been seeing him for years and would see no one else! Thank you Dr. Brenner. You have gotten me through some really rough times! I pray God and His Mama Mary it is almost over! And I include you in my prayers! I don't want anything bad to happen to you I need you too much! Of all my doctors I don't know what I would without this one!
Great doctor he explained everything I needed to know.
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