Possible Causes And Complications Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Prolonged Antibiotic Use

Antibiotics kill bacterial infections by wiping out all the bacteria in the digestive tract. Unfortunately, this also includes the 'good' bacteria in the gut that makes up the immune system, which is the body’s primary line of defense against infections and other conditions. Taking antibiotics frequently may increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease and other illnesses until the 'good' bacteria are restored. It is a good idea for patients to take a probiotic at the same time as a round of antibiotics to restore healthy bacteria to the gut while the antibiotic kills off germs causing the infection. Of course, they should consult a doctor for the appropriate recommendations on this topic to avoid other potential side effects and to increase the effectiveness of this option.

Inflammatory Foods

Diet plays a significant role in the development of inflammatory bowel disease, which means it helps in managing the condition as well. According to a 2016 study, children with Crohn’s disease were relieved of their symptoms when they followed the specific carbohydrate diet excluding grains, dairy, and processed sugars and foods. The specific carbohydrate diet in question consisted of fruits, vegetables, meats, and nuts. One of the authors of the study, which was the first of its kind, stated, “This changes the paradigm for how we may choose to treat children with inflammatory bowel disease.” With this in mind, individuals who are dealing with symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease may want to track what food they consume and any potential reactions. They can use this list when visiting the doctor to develop an appropriate course of action.