From excessive weight loss to kidney stones, changes in bowel habits to extreme fatigue, malnutrition to joint pain and vision issues – if you’re experiencing wide-ranging symptoms like these, you might not realize they all stem from one autoimmune condition.
Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD is not just a digestive disorder. It is defined by the inflammation this autoimmune condition creates. Inflammation caused by IBD can impact various parts of the digestive tract, but it can potentially affect any part of your body. That explains its broad array of potential symptoms.
By addressing your Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD, we can help you prevent serious illness and slow aging as well. You may see improvements in related conditions like arthritis, skin issues, nutritional deficiencies and neurological concerns. Less pain and inflammation, better cognitive function and increased energy levels are other benefits you may experience, along with a stronger immune system.
There is no cure for IBD, but certain treatments can help to manage your symptoms and improve quality of life tremendously. IBD may be a chronic, lifelong condition, but with the right approach, people with IBD can live full, active lives. While flare-ups may occur, they can be successfully managed.
Finding the right functional medicine doctor who has experience in effectively treating Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD is essential in combating this chronic condition. To learn more about how we treat Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD - or any of our latest medical and aesthetic treatments - contact us online or call ☎ (631) 600-7950 to schedule your initial consultation.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a specific type of chronic bowel disease – and an umbrella term for long-term inflammatory conditions involving the GI tract like Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. It is an autoimmune condition that triggers chronic inflammation in your digestive tract and potentially throughout your body. IBD most commonly affects the end of the beginning of the large intestine at the end of the small intestine. Oftentimes, the inflammation spreads into deeper layers of the bowel.
All IBD is chronic, but the term "chronic bowel disease" is a broader classification that can include other conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While IBS and IBD are often confused, IBS differs from IBD in one key way: it does not involve inflammation. IBS is a disorder in which your digestive system fails to function properly but is not necessarily inflamed or even damaged.
There are two main types of IBD. Ulcerative Colitis involves inflammation and sores, commonly called ulcers, along the lining of both the rectum and colon. Crohn's Disease, on the other hand, involves the deeper layers of the digestive tract, most commonly the small intestine, but it can also affect the large intestine and, less commonly, the upper GI tract. Crohn’s in children can sometimes delay both growth and some aspects of sexual development.
Symptoms of both forms of IBD - Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease – can range from extreme fatigue to blood in stool and abdominal pain.
Perhaps the least understood feature of Inflammatory Bowel Disease is its systemic impact. It can cause symptoms and conditions well beyond your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Most people are aware that IBD causes GI distress, but it is an immune-mediated condition that can wreak havoc with almost any organ system in your body.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease symptoms can range from mild to severe and may arise suddenly or develop gradually. Many IBD sufferers experience what’s referred to as remission, where they have periods of time without any symptoms at all.
As your GI tract becomes increasingly swollen and irritated, you will likely begin to experience symptoms like abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, malnutrition, weight loss and fatigue. Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD includes GI symptoms or conditions like:
It can also cause non-GI symptoms, including:
You may not experience all of these symptoms, but you could experience many of them if you suffer from Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD Syndrome, especially if it remains untreated.
The precise cause of Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD is unknown, but it’s categorized as an autoimmune disorder whereby your immune system malfunctions and begins to attack otherwise healthy cells in your digestive tract. This autoimmune reaction is what triggers the chronic inflammation that characterizes IBD. It’s important to note that not everyone with this autoimmune response develops IBD. However, for those who do, it is a chronic condition that will need to be managed over a lifetime.
In susceptible individuals, imbalances in the gut microbiome can trigger autoimmune responses like this, as can bacterial or viral and bacterial infections. The precise etiology of the autoimmune response remains unknown. Not everyone with these risk factors develops IBD, but it may be triggered by a mix of health, environmental and genetic risk factors, including:
Diagnosis is the first step in determining which treatments will be most effective. That’s one reason why it’s important to work with a Functional Medicine doctor who understands IBD. We seek to understand root causes and can develop a treatment plan that is fine-tuned to address your specific condition, symptoms and overall health needs.
Diagnosis of Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD is typically based on:
We always conduct a thorough workup: detailed history, lifestyle review, and targeted lab testing (hormones, nutrients, metabolic markers).
At Balanced Health & Wellness, we offer solutions that help to diminish the symptoms and intensity of Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD with our focus on achieving full remission.
Conventional medical treatments often include medications like anti-inflammatories and immunosuppressants. Other conventional treatments for IBD range from lifestyle modifications to surgery.
Oftentimes conventional treatment is directed solely to managing symptoms, but we take a whole person approach to Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD treatment and will develop a treatment plan designed just for you and your overall health profile.
Some of our treatment tools include:
Because Inflammatory Bowel Disease triggers an inflammatory response in your body, healing your intestinal lining can reduce chronic inflammation and many of the conditions related to inflammation.
We may have a range of other recommendations – from herbal treatments, probiotics and prebiotics to mind-body practices or acupuncture. Support for weight, mood, sleep, and stress are part of any comprehensive plan. There are more holistic cutting-edge therapies that are emerging daily that we can also discuss.
We always endeavor to set realistic expectations. Improvements are oftentimes gradual and individualized, with a focus on safety and monitoring emphasized. We try to balance those realistic expectations with optimism for a new chapter in your life without Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD.
We will discuss all of your safety concerns at our first session, after looking at your medical history and any specific risk factors in your case, before proceeding with any Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD treatment.
The frequency of visits and length of time your treatment requires will vary according to individual factors.
Before your first session, we always take a medical history and review any medications, supplements or herbal medications you’re taking, as well as assess any particular allergies, contraindications or medical needs you may have. We may conduct extensive medical testing if necessary.
Results vary among individuals. You may see a difference within days – or not for weeks, months or years. The effects you’re seeking matter – as does your treatment plan, age and genetics.
You may remain on Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD Treatment for as long as it's benefiting your symptoms and not causing health issues – or until your Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD goes into remission. Some aspects of treatment are meant to be long-term. For example, if you stop taking replacement hormones, your levels will return to baseline.
At your initial consultation, we will take full medical and family history and determine if you would be a good candidate for Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD Treatment.
For more questions about Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD Treatment, speak with our experts today to see if this is the best treatment option for you.
A Brooklyn, New York native, Dr. Rutman graduated with honors in biology from Binghamton University then pursued his medical education at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in emergency medicine at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, where he excelled as chief resident and received recognition for his teaching abilities and patient care skills. He has been serving as an attending physician in emergency medicine for over 15 years at St Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, New York, and other institutions.
As a member of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians and board certified by the American Board of Osteopathic Emergency Medicine, Dr. Rutman brings a wealth of knowledge to his work with his patients. Recognizing the importance of weight management and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in promoting overall health and wellness, Dr. Rutman has undergone specialized training to become an expert in both fields with the goal of helping each patient achieve the best possible health outcomes through an informed, healthy lifestyle.
Begin your Chronic Bowel Disease/IBD Treatment journey today! Call (631) 600-7950 or contact us online for your first session.
