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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel diseases include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and indeterminate colitis. Symptoms include prolonged diarrhoea, abdominal pain and weight loss. Book an appointment with a physician if the symptoms persist or worsen.
Specialist in the article
LT, gastroenterologian erikoislääkäri
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in brief
- Inflammatory bowel disease is believed to be caused by a genetic predisposition that can lead to the onset of the disease when an external or internal factor triggers the inflammation.
- Two out of three patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease have ulcerative colitis and one out of three have Crohn’s disease. Approximately 10% of IBD patients have indeterminate colitis with the characteristics of both diseases.
- The onset of the disease typically occurs at the age of 20–35, but it can occur at any age.
IBD symptoms
IBD can also cause anaemia and impair the patient’s general state of health. The most typical symptom of inflammatory bowel diseases is diarrhoea. If the diarrhoea persists, blood may be present in the stool. Symptoms may also be present in organs other than the digestive tract, such as the joints, skin and eyes.
IBD is associated with, for example:
- arthritis
- rheumatic diseases
- hepatitis, cholangitis and pancreatitis
- erythema nodosum
- various infections of the eye
Examination and diagnosis of IBD
The diagnosis of IBD requires laboratory tests and endoscopic examinations. The most commonly performed laboratory tests include basic blood count, inflammation markers, kidney and liver enzyme markers and fluid and sodium balance tests. A stool sample analysis is performed to study the level of calprotectin, which is a protein occurring in inflammatory cells.
Ileocolonoscopy is a procedure in which the ileum and the colon are examined endoscopically, and it is the most important diagnostic procedure whenever the presence of IBD is suspected. In the case of Crohn’s disease, the endoscopic examination of the oesophagus and the upper part of the stomach (gastroscopy), small bowel MRI or a capsule endoscopy might also be required. Biopsies of the mucous membrane are taken in these endoscopic examinations to verify the diagnosis.
The endoscopic examinations are commonly performed by our experienced specialists when the patient is awake, but it is also possible to perform these procedures under general anaesthesia.
Treatment of IBD
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases are treated according to a medication plan prescribed by a physician. Surgical treatment is rarely required for IBD, but it can become a viable option if pharmacological treatment is not enough to calm the inflammation in the intestines.
In addition to appropriate pharmacological therapy, regular follow-up appointments and endoscopic examinations performed by a physician are essential in the treatment of IBD.
Prices for appointments with specialists, such as gynaecologists, dermatologists, cardiologists, orthopaedists and ophthalmologists, can be found in our appointment booking service.
Take into account in the price list
The price estimate includes the Kanta fee and the outpatient fee.| Service | Price estimate |
|---|---|
| Appointment with a specialist, 10 min Price per appointment. | from 27,20 € Without Kela reimbursement from 57,20 € |
| Appointment with a specialist, 20 min Price per appointment. | from 46,20 € Without Kela reimbursement from 76,20 € |
| Appointment with a specialist, 30 min Price per appointment. | from 55,20 € Without Kela reimbursement from 85,20 € |
| Appointment with a specialist, 45 min Price per appointment. | from 66,20 € Without Kela reimbursement from 96,20 € |
| Appointment with a psychiatrist, 30 min Price per appointment. | from 69,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 104,00 € |
| Appointment with a psychiatrist, 45 min Price per appointment. | from 95,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 132,00 € |
| Appointment with a psychiatrist, 60 min Price per appointment. | from 108,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 148,00 € |
Gastrointestinal problems
Abdominal pain
The causes of stomach pain and treatment options should be investigated when the pain starts to interfere with everyday life.
Acid reflux
A disease where the stomach contents rising into the oesophagus repeatedly cause heartburn or inflammation of the oesophagus.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
A functional gastrointestinal disorder that causes abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel movements.
Lactose intolerance
The inability to digest lactose due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms.
Frequently asked questions about inflammatory bowel disease
The exact cause of IBD is unknown. It is believed to be caused by a genetic predisposition that can lead to the onset of the disease when an external or internal factor triggers the inflammation. This leads to an exceptionally intense and prolonged reaction of the intestinal immune system.
The onset of IBD can be influenced by:
- a genetic predisposition
- intestinal bacteria
- environmental, nutritional and psychosocial factors
- inflammatory disorders and disorders of the anti-inflammatory system
Abdominal pain is often present in the case of Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is often present in the section of the intestinal system between the large and small intestine, so the abdominal pain may be present in the lower right abdomen.
Crohn’s disease is also associated with:
- weight loss
- occasional fever
- aphthous ulcers
- abscesses, ulcers or fistulae in the anal region
Ulcerative colitis may cause persistent diarrhoea that lasts for several weeks. Several bowel movements per day are common, and there is often blood and mucus in the stool. More than six bowel movements per day is a sign of a severe inflammation. The disease is also accompanied by cramp-like abdominal pain. In the long term, the disease impairs the patient’s general health, causes weight loss and also possibly fever.
Ulcerative colitis is associated with:
- frequent bowel movements
- diarrhoea
- bloody and mucous stools
- abdominal pain
