Living with constant worries about finding the nearest toilet isn’t the way anyone wants to spend their day. But for many with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), it’s an unfortunate reality. IBD isn’t just occasional stomach grumbles it’s a serious condition that can turn daily life upside down.
Ignoring red flags like sudden bathroom breaks or persistent discomfort just isn’t an option. Fortunately, skilled colorectal surgeons in Singapore can help people manage IBD and regain control of their lives.
They help patients through treatment and understand the challenges they face, so they can get back to living their lives.
What Constitutes “Frequent Toilet Visits”?
Like how height varies from person to person, bowel habits can differ too. This can be quantified in:
- Stool frequency
- Stool consistency
We all know what “frequent toilet visits” are like. Normal bowel movements can range from three times a day to three times a week. If the stool frequency is more than three times a day or fewer than three times a week, this may require closer monitoring and further investigation.
That aside, the stool consistency matters. The Bristol Stool Chart categorises the different forms of stools to help easily identify potential issues related to digestive health.
How Is IBD Associated with Frequent Toilet Visits?
If you’re visiting the toilet more than usual, you might be wondering if it’s related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The table below will help guide you on differentiating between the two disorders:
| Symptoms | |
| IBD | IBS |
|
|
Experiencing sudden weight loss and bloody stools are not typically seen in IBS. This means that if you are losing weight unexpectedly, coupled with bloody stools, you might be facing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) instead.
IBD includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, both of which cause chronic inflammation in your digestive system. This irritation can increase the urgency to empty your bowels frequently.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms regularly, it’s important to talk to a doctor or colorectal surgeon. They can help you understand what’s causing your symptoms and find the best treatment options.
Unveiling the Secrets of IBD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can feel like a silent puzzle unfolding inside us. It comes in two main forms:
- Crohn’s Disease
- It is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting any part of the digestive tract.
- Inflammation can penetrate deep into bowel layers, often affecting all bowel layers (transmural involvement).
- Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, and sometimes rectal bleeding.
- May lead to complications like strictures, fistulas, and abscesses.
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Chronic inflammation typically affecting the colon and rectum.
- Causes inflammation and ulcers on the inner lining (mucosa) of the colon.
- Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea, weight loss, fatigue, and urgency for bowel movements.
- Inflammation is typically contiguous, starting from the rectum and extending proximally along the colon.
Knowing the similarities and differences between Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis can help you better understand what you might be experiencing.
Although both Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis can cause swelling and irritation in your gut, often leading to frequent bathroom visits, IBD’s impact goes beyond your toilet routine. What are some other clues that may indicate IBD?
- Exhaustion: You might feel constantly drained and low on energy.
- Belly pains: Cramping and discomfort in your stomach can become common.
- Unexplained weight loss: Even without dieting, you might find yourself dropping pounds.
- Fever or joint pains: For some, IBD can trigger fevers or even affect their skin and joints.
If you or someone you know has these symptoms, a colorectal surgeon in Singapore can help.
Getting the Right Treatment for IBD in Singapore
IBD affects everyone differently, so treatment plans in Singapore require individualised management depending on the clinical condition. This means considering:
- The disease’s severity.
- Where the inflammation is in the digestive system.
- The patient’s overall health and nutrition.
Teaming Up for IBD Care
Managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) often involves a multi-disciplinary and specialised team of healthcare professionals, each contributing their expertise:
- Gastroenterologists: These doctors specialise in digestive system diseases and lead the overall IBD care plan.
- Colorectal Surgeons: In Singapore, surgeons play a crucial role in severe cases, particularly when surgery becomes necessary.
- Dietitians: As nutrition experts, they provide personalised dietary advice to manage and lessen symptoms.
- Nurses: The backbone of care, nurses offer continuous support and manage daily nursing needs.
- Radiologists: Using imaging techniques, they help diagnose and track the disease’s progress.
- Pathologists: These specialists analyse tissue samples to give a definitive diagnosis.
Choosing the Right Treatment
What kind of treatment works best depends on:
- Inflammation level: This determines how intense the treatment needs to be.
- Overall health and nutrition: Getting the proper nutrients plays a significant role in improving and managing symptoms.
The Role of a Colorectal Surgeon in IBD
Most cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can be controlled with medication and lifestyle adjustments. Sometimes surgery becomes necessary when:
- Symptoms become severe and unmanageable—severe bleeding or toxic megacolon.
- Medication fails to control inflammation or development of medication dependency without any improvement.
- Complications arise during treatment—fistulas, strictures, abscess or severe scarring in the intestines.
- Risk of colon cancer increases with duration and severity of inflammation and age.
The role of a colorectal surgeon is to remove the damaged sections of the digestive tract and help manage complications.
But their role goes beyond the operating room. Colorectal surgeons are crucial for providing ongoing care and regular surveillance to patients with IBD, working closely with them to ensure their health and well-being.
Managing IBD Through Diet
Customising Your Food Choices:
People with IBD respond uniquely to different foods, making a one-size-fits-all diet impractical.
It’s essential to identify and avoid personal trigger foods that can worsen symptoms like stomach pain or diarrhoea. Common offenders include high-fibre foods, dairy, and spicy dishes.
Beneficial Eating Habits:
While some foods might trigger your IBD symptoms, others can help ease them. For instance, soluble fibre from oats or bananas can make digestion smoother.
The key is finding a balanced diet that keeps your gut happy and doesn’t worsen your IBD. Consulting with a doctor, a colorectal surgeon if required, and a registered dietitian is the most effective approach for addressing your needs and developing a tailored plan.
Everyday Habits to Help Manage IBD
While diet plays a big role, other parts of your daily life can also affect your IBD. Here are some things you can focus on for better management:
- Get active: Regular, moderate exercise eases stress, keeps things moving smoothly, and boosts your overall mood.
- Chill out: Proven techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation can help calm stress and prevent it from worsening IBD symptoms.
- Sleep tight: Getting enough good sleep is key, as fatigue can trigger flare-ups.
Closing Thoughts
If you notice symptoms indicating possible IBD, it’s crucial to consult a professional. IBD can be tough, but with the right help, including assistance from a colorectal surgeon in Singapore, it’s manageable.
These specialists can design treatment plans just for you, which can make a big difference in your daily life. So, if you’re worried about your symptoms, don’t put it off. Schedule a checkup and take the first step towards feeling better.