Do people with inflammatory bowel disease need periodic screening?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Dong Xuan Ha - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
People with inflammatory bowel disease may have frequent diarrhea or cause inflammation and infiltrate the layers of the intestinal wall (Crohn's disease). In the long term, it can cause complications such as ulceration / gastrointestinal obstruction, malnutrition, and even cancer. Therefore, patients should have regular gastrointestinal screening to detect the risks early.

1. Why is periodic screening necessary for inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease increases the risk of peptic ulcers because the intestines become inflamed, creating conditions for harmful bacteria to attack. Chronic inflammatory bowel disease can cause ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease:
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine (colon). Colitis usually causes the most severe ulceration in the rectal area, which can cause frequent diarrhea, often bloody and mucusy stools if the colon is damaged. Crohn's disease can occur anywhere in the digestive system, but most commonly affects the last part of the small intestine (the terminal ileum). The disease causes inflammation that penetrates the layers of the intestinal wall, is much more severe than ulcerative colitis, and usually affects the entire intestinal wall. In addition, inflammatory bowel disease can cause many dangerous complications if not properly controlled and treated as follows:
Intestinal obstruction The disease affects the thickness of the intestinal wall. The intestinal wall will thicken, narrowing the lumen of the intestine, preventing the flow of the digestive tract. If the condition recurs many times, the inflamed bowel may need to be removed.
Malnutrition People with inflammatory bowel disease often show symptoms of diarrhea and constipation, which interferes with the absorption of nutrients in the intestines, thereby causing nutrient deficiencies, causing the patient to lose weight quickly, the body is tired. tired.
Cancer Disease increases the risk of colon cancer . In particular, after 8 years of not being treated, the disease has the ability to spread to the colon and even the risk of anal cancer. Therefore, people with inflammatory bowel disease should have regular checkups to screen for gastrointestinal diseases, avoid aggravating the disease and reduce the possibility of complications.

2. Signs and symptoms of an episode of inflammatory bowel disease

The most common symptoms of enteritis are diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Diarrhea can range from moderate to severe (20 or more bowel movements per day). Excessive diarrhea can lead to dehydration, heart palpitations, and low blood pressure. If there is blood in the stool and the diarrhea persists, the person may have anemia.
Constipation can also be a symptom of inflammatory bowel disease. In Crohn's disease, constipation occurs as a result of a partial blockage in the intestines. In ulcerative colitis, constipation can be a symptom of proctitis (inflammation of the straight bowel).
Fever, fatigue and weight loss are also some of the signs of inflammatory bowel disease due to lack of appetite, reduced ability to absorb nutrients and dehydration due to diarrhea and chronic enteritis.
Some people with IBD may have signs of inflammation elsewhere, such as in the joints, eyes, liver, and skin. In children with inflammatory bowel disease, growth may be delayed.

3. Measures to prevent and limit recurrent enteritis

To control enteritis should apply the following measures:
Wash hands carefully before, during and after cooking and after using the toilet. Do not drink water that has not been boiled, and water that is not hygienic such as spring water, well water. Do not reuse utensils used to prepare raw foods such as eggs or poultry with meals. Eat only foods that have been thoroughly cooked and store them in the refrigerator. Limit smoking and drinking alcohol. Inflammatory bowel disease is most commonly caused by a gastrointestinal infection. Therefore, patients need to be careful when choosing foods, preparing them properly and washing their hands before eating.
When the disease occurs, it is necessary to pay attention to drink enough water containing electrolytes such as mineral water or oresol solution. If the disease has mild symptoms, the patient should eat normally with cooked food that is hygienic. When symptoms get worse, you should see a doctor for proper treatment.
NBI narrow band whole colonoscopy technique is a technique invented and put into use in Japan since 1994, recently being applied in a number of hospitals in Vietnam including: Vinmec Hospital system. The technique used to detect abnormal changes in the colon is the best method for screening for rectal cancer today.
Vinmec hospital system is equipped with the most modern gastrointestinal endoscopes from Olympus - one of the best in the world, creating a breakthrough for gastrointestinal cancer screening and diagnosis. (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, rectum) in the early and very early stages.
With 14 years of experience in the field of Endoscopy - Gastroenterology, Doctor Dong Xuan Ha proficiently performs diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy techniques, emergency interventions and therapeutic interventions. Currently, he is a gastroenterologist at the Department of General Internal Medicine, Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
In addition, all technical processes performed at Vinmec are strictly controlled, meeting international quality standards, ensuring safety and quality for patients.
Before each case, the endoscope system is guaranteed to be sterile, bringing absolute safety to the patient. After the procedure is over, the endoscope is cleaned with an automatic Olympus endoscope washing machine under the RO water purification system.
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