Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Inflammatory bowel disease typically presents as either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

Ulcerative colitis usually presents with intermittent flare-ups and periods of remission.

Mild cases involve limited mucosal inflammation, causing slight increases in bowel movements, minor rectal bleeding, and mild abdominal discomfort.

In more severe cases, the inflammation may extend throughout the entire colon, resulting in intense abdominal pain, fever, and tachycardia.

During a severe flare, patients often pass six or more bloody stools per day, and ongoing blood and fluid losses can lead to dehydration, iron-deficiency anemia, weight loss, and fatigue.

Crohn’s disease is characterized by transmural inflammation, which extends through the entire wall of the affected bowel segment.

Diarrhea is a hallmark symptom. Rectal bleeding may occur when the colon is involved.

Weight loss and generalized abdominal pain are common features.

When the ileum is affected, anemia may develop, along with vitamin B12 and bile acid malabsorption.