Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Question 1

What are the two types of IBD?

Answer 1

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Question 2

s/s of Crohn’s Disease…

Answer 2

patho s/s:
-ulcerations
-fibrosis
-adhesions
-stiffening of bowel wall
-stricture formation
-fistulas possible connecting to bowel, bladder, vagina, or skin

other s/s:
-diarrhea
-abdominal pain/cramps
-fever
-weight loss/growth failure
-gross rectal bleeding

Question 3

s/s of Ulcerative Colitis…

Answer 3

-edema and loose stools r/t poorly absorbed water and electrolytes
-bloody diarrhea or occult fecal blood; anemia
-abdominal pain/cramping
-growth failure; weight loss; anorexia
-urgency to defecate
-elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR lab is used as a measure of inflammation)

Question 4

What parts of the intestine does UC and crohn’s include (hint: they are different)?

Answer 4

Crohn’s disease affects ANY part of the GI tract

UC is LIMITED to the colon and rectum!

Question 5

What is the drug we commonly give for IBS patients?

Answer 5

Remicade

Other anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressant drug options for IBS include: steroids, aminosalicylates

Question 6

At what point in treatment is surgery discussed for IBS?

Answer 6

Surgery would most likely be discussed for IBS when all other treatment options have failed to relieve s/s

**a total colectomy is CURATIVE FOR UC; however!!. a total colectomy is not curative for Crohn’s disease (remember Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the GI tract whereas ulcerative colitis is only the colon/rectum)