Nearly 2.5 million Americans live with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. These chronic conditions cause persistent inflammation in the digestive tract and can significantly impact daily life, but specialists at WVU Medicine emphasize that treatment advancements are giving patients more reason for hope than ever.
Although IBD has no cure, today’s therapies make it possible for many patients to manage their symptoms effectively and maintain a high quality of life.
“With the right treatment and a coordinated care team, we can get patients into remission,” Jennifer Hadam-Veverka, M.D., gastroenterologist at the WVU Medicine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, said. “People can still enjoy a long and healthy life.”
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common forms of IBD, and while both involve inflammation, they affect the gastrointestinal tract differently. Ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon, whereas Crohn’s disease can appear anywhere along the digestive tract and may involve multiple layers of the bowel, making it more complex to manage.
IBD rates continue to rise both in the United States and globally. While genetics are a contributing factor, the environment, Western dietary patterns, reduced fiber intake, smoking, early-life antibiotic exposure and other changes linked to industrialization play a major role. Specialists are also seeing more diagnoses among adults ages 60 to 80.
Symptoms vary widely and may include chronic diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, fatigue, nighttime bowel movements, blood in the stool, nausea or vomiting. Because inflammation can extend beyond the digestive system, patients may also experience joint, skin or eye issues. When left untreated, IBD can lead to hospitalization, bowel obstruction, emergency surgery or even cancer.
Diagnosis involves a combination of lab testing, imaging and endoscopic evaluation. In some cases, providers use video capsule endoscopy to capture images of the small intestine.
Treatment options have significantly expanded over the past two decades. Biologic medications and newer targeted therapies help block the inflammatory pathways that keep the immune system overactive. Patients now have access to a range of options — from infusion therapies to at-home injections and once-daily oral medications.
Because IBD affects multiple aspects of a patient’s life, WVU Medicine’s multidisciplinary IBD Center brings together gastroenterologists, surgeons, dietitians, pharmacists, rheumatologists, dermatologists and social workers to deliver comprehensive care.
“You have a disease that affects every aspect of your life, and you should have all of these specialists helping take care of you,” Hadam-Veverka said.
In a recent episode of the Live Healthy West Virginia podcast, Crohn’s & Colitis: Let’s Go There, Hadam-Veverka discussed symptoms, triggers, prevention, diagnosis and treatment breakthroughs.
To learn more about care and treatment for Crohn’s and colitis at WVU Medicine, visit WVUMedicine.org/Ruby-Memorial-Hospital/Services/WVU-Specialty-Clinics/Digestive-Diseases.
