Many people struggle with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to varying degrees. In some cases, it can be treated with lifestyle changes and medications. IBD becomes serious enough for surgery when these treatments no longer work.
IBD is a group of chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. It has no known cure but can be managed with medications and sometimes surgery. Symptoms vary but often include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. Surgery becomes necessary when other treatments are unsuccessful in reducing IBD symptoms.
What Is IBD?
IBD refers to chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. It causes inflammation that often spreads deep into the layers of affected bowel tissue. Crohn’s can involve multiple segments of the intestine, with healthy areas in between inflamed sections.
Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, is limited to the colon (large intestine) and rectum. It causes continuous inflammation of the innermost lining of the colon. Unlike Crohn’s, there are no healthy areas between inflamed sections in ulcerative colitis. Both conditions share similar symptoms.
There is no cure for IBD, but various treatments, including medications and sometimes surgery, can help manage symptoms and induce remission.
Causes and Symptoms of IBD
Research is ongoing into the cause of IBD, but do know that it’s the result of a defective immune system. When working properly, your immune system will attack invading organisms such as bacteria and viruses in order to protect your body.
This isn’t what happens if you have IBD. Instead, your body misreads environmental triggers and responds with inflammation in your GI tract. Genetics may also play a part if you have the condition. It’s been observed that people with IBD tend to have a family history of the disease.
IBD can reveal itself in different ways. What’s more, symptoms can vary depending on how severe it is and where it’s located in your body. Your symptoms could be milder or more severe than another person living with IBD and they may even become inactive for a while after flare-ups.
Common IBD symptoms include:
- Fever
- Abdominal cramps or pain
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bloody stool
Symptoms of IBD can also occur outside of the digestive tract, which affects almost half of IBD patients. These symptoms can include inflammatory back pain, skin ulcers, and eye inflammation.
Since both conditions fall under the category of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can have similar symptoms. Your physician will be able to help narrow down what you’re experiencing and develop a plan to fight it.
Why Would I Be Referred to Colorectal Surgery?
You may be referred to colorectal surgery for IBD when conventional treatments such as medications and lifestyle changes fail to manage the condition effectively. Colorectal surgery is often considered a last resort for severe cases of IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Surgery can help:
- Alleviate symptoms
- Remove damaged portions of the GI tract
- Address complications like abscesses and fistulas
For Crohn’s disease, surgery can remove affected areas and reconnect healthy tissue, potentially sending the disease into remission. In ulcerative colitis, surgery might involve removing the colon and rectum to eliminate the disease entirely.
Surgery for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The primary goals of IBD surgery are to:
- Preserve as much bowel as possible
- Reduce disease complications
- Improve your quality of life
The process typically involves a pre-surgery consultation. During the consultation, your surgeon will explain the procedure and provide instructions for preparation. This may include dietary restrictions, medication adjustments, and bowel preparation. You’ll likely need to fast for a period before the surgery.
There are two main surgical techniques: laparotomy (open surgery) and laparoscopy (minimally invasive). The choice depends on your specific condition and the surgeon’s expertise.
The success rate of surgery is generally high for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Keep in mind that for Crohn’s disease, surgery can provide significant symptom relief, but there is a risk the disease may recur.
Recovery timelines vary depending on the type of surgery. For laparoscopic procedures, patients may return home within a few days and resume normal activities within 2-4 weeks. Open surgeries typically require five to seven days in the hospital with a recovery period of 4-6 weeks.
Post-surgery, you’ll need to follow a specific diet, gradually reintroducing foods. Regular follow-ups with your healthcare team will be necessary to monitor your recovery and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
How Many People With IBD End Up With Surgery?
The need for surgery among patients with inflammatory bowel disease varies significantly between Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. For Crohn’s, approximately 80% of patients undergo surgery in their life. This high percentage reflects the chronic and progressive nature of Crohn’s disease.
For ulcerative colitis, the likelihood of requiring surgery is lower, with about 20% of patients needing surgical treatment at some point. This is partly due to the effectiveness of medical therapies in managing the disease and the fact that it’s limited to the colon and rectum.
It’s important to note that these figures represent lifetime risks. Actual rates may vary depending on factors such as disease severity, response to medical treatments, and individual patient characteristics.
Do you have questions about your IBD symptoms or treatment? Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
IBD encompasses chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. While incurable, it is manageable with medications and lifestyle changes. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. Surgery is considered when other forms of treatment fail to control symptoms.
Colorectal Surgical Associates has been providing surgical treatment for Evansville, IN, and the tri-state area. Call us at (812) 424-8231 or (800) 264-8231 to contact us or schedule an appointment. We are available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time.
