Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to diseases that cause chronic inflammation in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Its symptoms may come on suddenly (flares) and cause intense stomach cramps and diarrhea, among other issues. But IBD can affect more than your gut — it can affect your overall physical health, emotional well-being and even your mental health.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a lifelong illness for which there’s no cure. This may sound grim. But there are treatments that manage IBD symptoms, and steps you can take to keep IBD from disrupting your life.

Types of IBD

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the main types of IBD:

Crohn’s disease: This disease causes sores (ulcers) in your GI tract. It can affect any part of your GI tract, from your mouth to your anus (butthole), but it typically develops in your small intestine and the upper part of your large intestine.
Ulcerative colitis (UC): UC causes swelling and sores (ulcers) in your large intestine. It usually starts in your rectum and can spread to part or all of your colon.

How common is IBD?

Experts estimate that 1.6 million people in the U.S. have IBD. The disease can affect anyone from young children to adults age 65 and older. But it most commonly affects people ages 15 to 35.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.