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Serious severity
· Gastroenterology
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Crohn's & ulcerative colitis
Immune system attacks the gut lining, causing chronic diarrhea, blood and weight loss. Modern biologics put many into long remission.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Rising in India
- Typical age
- 15–35 years
- Outlook
- Manageable, lifelong
- System
- Gut
Reviewed by a verified Gastroenterology doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Auto-immune mechanism
- Genetic susceptibility
- Smoking (worsens Crohn's)
- Western diet
- Gut microbiome changes
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Chronic diarrhea, sometimes bloody
- Crampy abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Fever, fatigue
- Mouth ulcers, joint pain (extra-intestinal)
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Aminosalicylates (5-ASA)
- Steroids for flares
- Immunomodulators (azathioprine)
- Biologics (anti-TNF, anti-integrin)
- Surgery for complications
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Smoking cessation
- Treat infections early
- Avoid NSAIDs that can trigger flares
- Annual colonoscopy surveillance
Do’s
- Take medication consistently
- Attend regular gastro reviews
- Eat anti-inflammatory diet
- Treat anemia and B12 deficiency
Don’ts
- Smoke (especially Crohn's)
- Take NSAIDs for pain
- Stop biologic without doctor
- Skip colonoscopy surveillance
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.