The exact cause of IBD isn’t known, but doctors know that certain factors may aggravate but not cause the disease. Being aware of your risk for this disease can help you recognize it and get a diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner.  Most people are diagnosed with IBD before the age of 30, but others may not develop the disease until they are in their 50s or 60s.  Caucasians, especially Ashkenazi Jews, are at the highest risk of IBD, but it can occur in any race.  If a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, has IBD you are at higher risk for developing the disease.  Cigarette smoking significantly increases your risk of developing Crohn’s Disease.  Using certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and diclofenac sodium, can increase your risk of developing IBD or worsen the disease if you already have it.  Environmental factors, such as living in an urban area or northern climates and eating a diet high in fat and refined foods, may increase your risk of developing IBD. Although Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis may have similar symptoms, they still differ slightly. Recognizing the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease can help you get a diagnosis from your doctor and take steps to manage the disease in your everyday life. Not all patients have severe symptoms, so it is important to be aware of the various ways that Crohn's disease can present.  You may experience persistent diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, fever, and occasional blood in your stool.  Loss of appetite and weight loss may also occur with Crohn’s Disease. It can also affect your joints, eyes, skin, and liver.  The most common complication of Crohn’s Disease is intestinal blockage as a result of swelling and scar tissue. Symptoms of blockage, such as cramping pain, vomiting, and bloating, may be present. You may also develop fistulas as a result of sores or ulcers in the intestinal tract.  People with Crohn’s Disease are at a higher risk of colon cancer and need to be screened more often than the general population. Although ulcerative colitis may have similar symptoms to Crohn’s Disease, it is nevertheless slightly different. Recognizing the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can help you get a diagnosis from your doctor and take steps to manage the disease in your everyday life.  Typical symptoms of ulcerative colitis are frequent bloody stools, cramping abdominal pain, and severe urgency to have a bowel movement or diarrhea.  Loss of appetite and weight loss are common symptoms of ulcerative colitis. You may also experience fatigue and abdominal bloating.  Most people with ulcerative colitis will have mild symptoms, though others can have severe cramping, fever, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.  Severe bleeding can lead to anemia in ulcerative colitis patients. They may also have skin lesions, join pain, liver disorders, and eye inflammation.  People with ulcerative colitis are at a higher risk of colon cancer and, like people with Crohn's disease, need to be screened regularly. It’s important to pay attention to your body and bodily functions for any symptoms of IBD. These signs, such as diarrhea or fever, can indicate the disease, especially if they don’t go away.  Watch your bowel movements for frequent diarrhea or the need to quickly evacuate your bowels.  Check the toilet tissue or toilet bowl for signs of blood before you flush. Watch your underwear or towels for signs of rectal bleeding or bowel leakage. Many people with IBD have a persistent low-grade fever and may also experience night sweats.  Some women may experience a loss of their normal menstrual cycle. Consider if you have experienced a recent, prolonged loss of appetite or unintended weight loss, especially in conjunction with other symptoms of IBD. These may be clear signs that you’re suffering from IBD and should see a doctor. The loss of appetite may be a result of abdominal pain and cramping and inflammation. This can lead to unintended weight loss. Inflammatory Bowel Disease can present itself with severe or chronic pain in the abdomen and may even cause joint pain. If you have prolonged stomachaches or pain in the joints that is not related to other conditions or physical activity, you may have this symptom as a result of IBD.  You may have general abdominal pain or cramping with IBD.  There may also be abdominal bloating accompanied by pain or cramping.  Aches and pains from IBD may present themselves in other parts of your body as well. Watch for pain in your joints or eye inflammation. Examine your skin to notice changes in your overall complexion or skin texture, such as red bumps, ulcers, or rashes. These could indicate IBD, especially if experienced in conjunction with other symptoms. Some skin lesions can turn into fistulas, which are infected tunnels that develop in the skin.
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