Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the name for two long-term conditions in which the immune system inflames the gut. Ulcerative colitis affects the lining of the large bowel and rectum. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gut, most often the end of the small bowel and the colon, and can go deeper into the bowel wall. Both usually start in young adults and come in flares. IBD was once thought to be rare in Nigeria and is still often missed: bloody diarrhoea is treated again and again as dysentery, typhoid or worms, and weight loss is put down to stress, so diagnosis can take years. A colonoscopy with biopsies is the main test that confirms it, and with proper treatment most people lead full lives.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Diarrhoea lasting more than a few weeks, often with blood or mucus
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- An urgent need to open the bowels, including at night
- Weight loss and poor appetite
- Tiredness and anaemia
- Fever during flares
- Sores around the anus, or joint, skin or eye inflammation
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if diarrhoea lasts more than a few weeks, or keeps coming back after courses of antibiotics or antimalarials, especially with blood, weight loss or night-time symptoms: you need stool and blood tests and usually a colonoscopy. Go to an emergency department for frequent bloody diarrhoea with fever, a racing heart or feeling faint, severe abdominal pain or swelling, heavy bleeding, or being unable to keep fluids down.
Treatment options
- Stool tests to rule out infection, and blood tests for inflammation and anaemia
- Colonoscopy with biopsies to confirm the diagnosis and see how much bowel is affected
- Anti-inflammatory medicines such as mesalazine for ulcerative colitis
- Short courses of steroids to settle a flare
- Long-term immune-modifying or biologic medicines to keep the disease quiet
- Surgery for complications or disease that does not respond to medicine
- Regular colonoscopy checks for long-standing colitis, which raises bowel cancer risk
What it costs on Mezo
Published cash prices for the operations used to treat this condition. Your own quote follows an examination.
Common Questions
Is IBD the same as IBS?
No. IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) causes real inflammation and damage that can be seen at colonoscopy. IBS is a sensitive gut with no visible damage. Bleeding, weight loss and night-time diarrhoea point towards IBD.
Do Nigerians get Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?
Yes. They are diagnosed in Nigerian hospitals and appear to be becoming more common. Because they are not expected, they are often mistaken for dysentery or typhoid at first.
Can IBD be cured?
There is no cure with medicine yet, but treatment can control the inflammation and keep most people well for long periods. For ulcerative colitis, surgery to remove the large bowel is curative in severe cases.
What should I eat with IBD?
There is no single IBD diet. During a flare, softer, lower-fibre food may be easier, and a dietitian can help you avoid losing weight. Food does not cause IBD, and no herb has been shown to replace treatment.
Need Help?
One all-in price, paid online. Sedation, any biopsy and a doctor's review of the report are included.
Book a colonoscopyFind a verified gastroenterology specialist near you.
Gastroenterology in Lagos →Gastroenterology in Abuja →Gastroenterology in Port Harcourt →Gastroenterology in Jos →Gastroenterology in Ibadan →Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.