Gastrointestinal Issues
IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the stomach and intestines, also called the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS affects 10-15% of the US population and women are twice as likely to experience IBS than men.
Symptoms of IBS
Symptoms can vary but are usually present for a long time. The most common include:
- Stomach pain, cramping or bloating when trying to pass stool
- A feeling of urgency in needing to pass stool
- Changes in the appearance of stool
- Changes in how often you are passing stool
- Feeling the incomplete elimination
- Increased gas
- Mucus in stool
IBS Causes
What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Nervous system issues
Bacterial, parasitic, or viral infections
Change in gut flora
Stress
Food allergies and intolerances
Crohn's Disease
Chronic IBS
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by recurrent inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and potentially malnutrition.
Symptoms of Chrohn's Disease
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Blood in stool
- Mouth sores
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Anal fistulas
Causes of Crohn's
What Are The Causes of Crohn's Disease
The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, but it is thought to be an autoimmune condition. Autoimmune conditions occur when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body. Crohn’s disease may be genetic as it can run in families. While not a direct cause, some foods and stress can make symptoms worse.
What is Ulcerative Colitis
Another Type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Ulcerative colitis is another inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers to form on the lining of the digestive tract. While the cause is unknown, people who suffer from ulcerative colitis typically have immune issues and though they are not the cause, certain foods and stress can trigger the inflammatory response.
It can be hard to differentiate ulcerative colitis from other gastrointestinal issues because the symptoms are similar: abdominal pain, bloody stools, diarrhea and even fever. 1 in 3 people with ulcerative colitis develop symptoms outside of the gastrointestinal tract which can manifest as painful mouth ulcers, red, itchy, irritated eyes or pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints.
Because the hallmark of acupuncture is reducing inflammation, it is a great treatment to help relieve the pain and symptoms (and even stress) associated with ulcerative colitis so that those that suffer can go back to living life without constant worry of needing to run to the bathroom.
