One thing you shouldn’t worry about is what could happen if there’s an emergency. MedicAlert’s protection plans offer benefits that extend beyond the ID, providing safety and peace of mind for people living with inflammatory bowel disease, their families and caregivers.
Our team provides first responders the information they need to provide fast, accurate care.
All your vital information, all in one place for you and your caregiver.
In an emergency, we connect families so that no one is alone in a crisis.
Share the information that’s important to your care, such as use of rescue medications or contraindication for tests like MRIs.
Pair a medical ID for inflammatory bowel disease with the protection plan that’s right for you.
Inflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella term that is used to describe two primary types of IBD:
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). Rarer types of IBD include microscopic colitis (MC), diversion colitis, and Behçet’s disease.
Crohn’s disease causes pain, swelling, and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, specifically, the upper part of the large intestine and the small intestine. In some cases, however, it can cause symptoms in any other part of the body from the mouth to the anus.
Ulcerative colitis also causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, but only the lining of the large intestine or colon is affected. A person living with UC will also develop sores (ulcers) in the large intestine. Microscopic colitis can only be seen under a microscope—hence the name. A person living with MC will experience frequent, watery diarrhea, stemming from irritation in the intestinal lining.
Diversion colitis is a condition that develops following surgical procedures including colostomy (a piece of the colon is diverted to bypass a damaged part of the colon) and ileostomy (the small intestine is diverted through an opening in the abdomen). Like all other forms of IBD, diversion colitis causes inflammation, specifically the large intestine.
In the U.S., Behçet’s (beh-CHETS) disease is the rarest form of IBD. More common in Asia and the Middle East, Behçet’s is a type of autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the blood vessels. People living with Behçet’s may develop mouth, skin, and genital sores, arthritis, eye pain and redness, and/or vision impairment.
The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but there is a hereditary link. Scientific evidence suggest that 5% to 20% of people living with IBD have a parent, sibling or child with Crohn’s disease or UC. The risk of IBD being hereditary is greater with Crohn’s disease and when both parents had/have the disease. According to Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), one study found that 36% of people with both parents affected developed IBD.
Another possible cause of IBD is a malfunction within the immune system. When the body’s immune system detects an invading bacterium or virus, it attempts to fight it off. In some cases, this response can go awry, causing the immune system to attack healthy cells in the digestive tract.
Although studies are either pending, conflicting or inconclusive, other potential causes of and risk factors for developing IBD are thought to be environmental or lifestyle-related. Examples include smoking, overuse of NSAIDs, obesity, diet, stress, and viruses.
Help others help you. Wear a medical alert ID bracelet or necklace engraved with important information for emergency responders and healthcare providers
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are very similar. They can be persistent, moderate or mild, and in most cases, unpredictable. People living with IBD may experience common symptoms such as:
Less common to rare symptoms associated Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis include:
MedicAlert offers free custom engraving on all our IBD bracelets and medical ID products. Engravings on medical IDs for inflammatory bowel disease should include any critical medical information that can protect and save lives in an accident or medical emergency, for example:
Sample engraving. Consult our team if you need help engraving your medical ID for inflammatory bowel disease.
Some people living with IBD will develop complications that require immediate medical care. IBD increases the risk of developing:
While no single test can diagnose inflammatory bowel disease, the process typically begins with a questionnaire about your symptoms, a complete blood count (CBC), and a stool sample test. Common diagnostic tests for IBD include:
There is no cure for IBD. Even with surgery, the disease can recur. The good news is, mild to moderate IBD can be managed with prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary and lifestyle changes. The goal of IBD treatment is to reduce the inflammation that triggers your symptoms. Prescription medications include:
Over-the-counter treatments for IBD include:
If medications stop working, your doctor may prescribe treatments that target the immune system. Examples include Cromolyn sodium, low dose naltrexone, and TNF inhibitors such as adalimumab and infliximab. If all medications and treatments become ineffective, your doctor may suggest surgery.
Many people living with Crohn’s disease alone will need surgery at some point—even with medication and healthy eating. Common IBD surgeries include:
Lifestyle changes include:
