I Hate IBD FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What have you got against the Investors Business Daily Journal?
– Nothing, it’s a fine publication and we are sure
its journalistic integrity is above reproach.
That’s not the IBD that we hate, it’s the other
one, Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Why is your site so boring looking? – When you
come to a site
like this you come looking for information, not flashy animations and
graphics with a smattering of factoids.
Is IBD fatal? – No, IBD (Inflammatory Bowel
Disease) is not
fatal. People with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative
Colitis lead normal lives. There are complications that can
arise that could potentially be fatal if medical attention is not
sought. However, suffers of IBD have higher rates of colon
cancer.
Does a Colonoscopy hurt? - A person undergoing a
colonoscopy
does not experience any pain or discomfort. This is because
the patient is put under sedation before the exam
begins. This is a state sometimes refers to as
‘twilight’.
What is a Bowel Prep? A bowel prep, or
preparation, is the
hated ritual one must endure to ‘clean’ the colon
before endoscopic exams like the colonoscopy.
Is pregnancy a problem for women with IBD? –
Studies show
that women with an IBD do not have impaired pregnancy or delivery;
however,
they should always discuss matters with their physician ahead of time.
Can I catch IBD from someone who has it? – Both
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are not
contagious.
What is Toxic Megacolon and where can I download their album?
– Although Toxic Megacolon would make a great name for a
metal band, it is actually a rare complication of an IBD that can be
life
threatening. Symptoms include a very inflated colon, tender
and distended abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, and dehydration.
What does it mean if when I urinate sometimes there are air
bubbles in my
pee? - You may have an enterovesicular fistula,
which is an
abnormal tunnel between a loop of the intestines and the
bladder. See your doctor now.
Why are there these little flat red things in my poop?
- If
you are taking the drug Asacol, these are the acrylic shells left over
after the medication has been released into its target area.
They are harmless.
I have an IBD, will I pass it on to my child? -
It’s
true that around 25% of people with an IBD also have a family member
with
an IBD but so far there has been no clear pattern
established.
So in other words, probably not, but it can’t be
ruled out completely.
What’s the difference between Crohn’s disease and
ulcerative colitis? – The diseases are very
similar and can
at times be difficult to make a diagnosis. Ulcerative colitis
only effects the superficial layers of the large
intestine whereas Crohn’s disease can affect all
layers of the intestines and occur anywhere in the digestive tract.
Is it true that I can get osteoporosis from taking
prednisone? - Yes, accelerated osteoporosis is a
potential
side effect of taking corticosteroids like prednisone for too
long. Your doctor will keep you on as low of a dose for a
little as possible to reduce this risk.