Chronic intestinal inflammation is often discovered late

Bowel disease is often diagnosed as an irritable bowel - sometimes there is much more to it
Diarrhea, cramps and similar complaints probably everyone knows. Most people underestimate such symptoms. It is often hoped that these diseases disappear on their own. Many want to save the embarrassing visit to the doctor and think that the problem can be solved by tea and bed rest. Nevertheless, these difficulties should not be underestimated. It may also include chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease in the form of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

320,000 people in Germany suffer from chronic intestinal diseases
Diseases and ailments related to bowel problems are usually uncomfortable. Many sufferers do not like to talk about their problem. Often the sufferers hope that the problem will be resolved within a few days. But whoever has constant strong abdominal cramps or complains about persistent complaints, could have a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Who goes with such problems to the doctor, often gets the diagnosis irritable bowel. According to the German Crohn's Disease / Colitis Ulcerosa Association (DCCV), this term has become a buzzword in medicine. The symptoms can also be signs of a serious, serious illness. As reported by the dpa news agency citing the DCCV, more than 320,000 people in Germany are affected. The most common forms of the diseases are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Chronic intestinal inflammation is often misdiagnosed. (Image: Coloures-pic / fotolia.com)

Illnesses difficult to recognize
In ulcerative colitis, the colon is chronically inflamed. In Crohn's disease, however, any section of the digestive tract may be affected. According to Prof. Britta Siegmund, Director of the Medical Clinic focusing on gastroenterology, infectious diseases and rheumatology at the Charité in Berlin, diarrhea is not always in the foreground. "Sometimes the symptoms are more of a general malaise, fever or pain," the dpa quoted the expert. The lesser known microscopic colitis, according to the DCCV, is very similar to the symptoms of the irritable bowel symptom. Prof. Ahmed Madisch (Hannover), who works with the DCCV, commented: "At first glance, irritable bowel syndrome and microscopic colitis are virtually indistinguishable. That's a big problem. "In such cases, only a colonoscopy followed by tissue samples really brings clarity. In many patients, this is otherwise misdiagnosed as an irritable bowel and thus treated wrong.

Proper therapies can help quickly
In microscopic colitis, there are good treatment options. Medications help most sufferers quickly and reliably. In addition the DCCV brings the example of the 61 year old pensioner Edda Günther. The elderly woman was suddenly plagued by severe diarrhea from one day to the next. No matter what the retiree consumed, it was excreted from her body after half an hour. This led to major disruptions in their daily routine. Places where there were no toilets avoided Edda Günther. Her gastroenterologist found in a colonoscopy with tissue sampling that a microscopic colitis was the cause of her distressing diarrhea. The drug therapy reached after only two weeks and ended the complaints of the woman. Since then, Edda Günther has had no symptoms and her quality of life has also returned.

According to DCCV, 75% to 80% of microscopic colitis occurs in women over 50 years of age. Researchers believe that in ten percent of the population, microscopic colitis is the cause of diarrhea in this population.

Chronic intestinal diseases not curable
Prof. Siegmund told dpa that chronic inflammatory bowel disease was not curable. But it is possible to adjust most patients with medication so that they can live a normal and symptom-free life. Of course, there are also cases in which problems occur and a therapy does not work. Mostly the problem here is that the disease is recognized too late and thus not optimally treated. Not all complaints could be treated optimally by medication. If scars, fistulas or bottlenecks have formed, an operation is absolutely necessary.

Proper treatment of the disease improves the quality of life
What causes chronic inflammatory bowel disease is not yet known. However, those affected should lead a healthy life during periods free from symptoms. Sport and a good diet could help to increase the quality of life. It is also important that the circle of friends and acquaintances is informed and thus has the opportunity to deal properly with the disease. It should be clear that, for example, prolonged activities, where there is no toilet nearby, are impossible for such patients, said Wolfgang Kruis, chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology, Pulmonology and General Internal Medicine of the Protestant Hospital Kalk in Cologne compared to the dpa. (As)