How Do People Get Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Over 600,000 Americans are affected per year by inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. They cover a group of disorders that can lead to chronic inflammation of the intestines, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The inflammation in the digestive tract can cause painful or even life-threatening conditions.

Gastrointestinal (GI) doctors diagnose hundreds of adults and children with inflammatory bowel disease per year. Dr. Davidson’s specialties consist of helping people with severe symptoms that haven’t responded well to other treatments in the past. Most experts consider the cause of these conditions to be an inflammatory reaction in the digestive tract. This is a reaction that occurs without a pathogen present. There may also be genetic causes – individuals with a parent or sibling with IBD have a higher probability of developing the disease.

Both men and women patients are equality likely to experience IBD symptoms in their teenage years. These symptoms can also develop during adulthood. The conditions can worsen due to stress, which is why many people choose to reduce stress to decrease the frequency of symptoms.

If you believe you may be affected by this disorder, you must seek treatment or recommendations from a qualified gastroenterologist (GI doctor). Dr. Davidson is experienced in treating digestive disorders and can help develop a treatment specifically formulated for your needs.