Free Essay about Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Ulcerative colitis

This inflammatory bowel disease is commonly diagnosed through the use of a series of procedures and blood tests. The main blood tests usually conducted to ascertain ulcerative colitis infection are the stool sample test for parasites, viruses, and bacteria inside the blood and the anemia check test (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Other procedures for diagnosing this infection include magnetic resonance enterography, computerized tomography enterography, CT scan, X-ray, flexible sigmoidoscopy, endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasounds, and colonoscopy.

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Crohn's Disease

To diagnose Crohn's disease, doctors normally carry out blood tests and procedures. The main blood tests conducted include a fecal occult blood test and tests for anemia and other related infections. According to the Mayo Clinic (2018), the major procedures applied in the diagnosis of this disease include colonoscopy, balloon-assisted enteroscopy, capsule endoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computerized tomography (CT). In these procedures, doctors use cameras or standard X-rays to examine the small and large intestines to determine whether there are infections caused by viruses or bacteria that may cause abdominal pains and inflammation of the bowel.

Celiac Disease

The two main tests carried out by doctors in a bid to diagnose celiac disease are genetic testing and serology testing. The genetic testing is often aimed at ascertaining the presence of human leukocyte antigens in the blood while serology testing aims at determining antibodies in the blood. Where the presence of celiac disease is detected after the tests, an endoscopy of the small intestine may be ordered for further analysis.

Colorectal Cancer

Since blood tests do not usually tell whether one has colorectal or colon cancer, the main procedure for diagnosing this disease is through colonoscopy whereby a doctor attaches a slender and flexible tube to a video camera and uses it for monitoring the inside of the rectum and colon for any apparent infections (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Where signs and symptoms have not begun to manifest themselves, physicians also recommend screening tests so as to help reduce the risk of contracting or dying of colorectal cancer.

Treatment Plan

The treatment plan for colorectal cancer mainly includes the intake of vitamins and mineral supplements, gluten-free diet, skin medication, and medications for intestinal inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as oral 5-aminosalicylates and corticosteroids may help treat inflammation caused by Crohn's disease. Further, the treatment plan for ulcerative colitis includes the use of surgery or drug therapy. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids and amino-salicylates and immunosuppressant drugs may also be used as part of the treatment plan for ulcerative colitis (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Moreover, the treatment options for celiac disease include supportive palliative care, proton beam therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, drug therapy, and surgery. According to Olendzki et al. (2014), an inflammatory diet which modifies dietary fatty acids includes the ingestion of probiotic foods and restricts the intake of some carbohydrates may be used as a nutritional regimen or treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.

Health Promotion

Health promotion is the practice of enhancing the ability of individuals, communities, and states to take control of and improve their health by advocating for and educating them about positive changes in behavior and attitudes concerning their health. Nurses play an important role in health promotion and with regards to inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and colorectal cancer, nurses can educate people on the correct types of foods to eat to avoid these infections and the significance of going for medical checkups and tests. Health promotion in the realm of inflammatory bowel disease may also involve creating awareness about the importance of taking recommended medications and living healthy lives.

Disease Prevention

Disease prevention refers to the practice of identifying the risk factors, signs, and symptoms of diseases and taking necessary measures to prevent people from being affected by particular illnesses. Akin to health promotion, disease prevention aims at actively engaging and empowering communities and individuals and encouraging them to choose healthy lifestyles or behaviors and make decisions that tend to improve their health and wellbeing. It is particularly important in that it helps people to make the necessary changes to their lives in ways that lead to a reduction in the risk of developing chronic diseases, fatalities, and morbidities associated with various diseases. According to Abegunde, Muhammad, and Ali (2016), to prevent inflammatory bowel disease, preventive measures such as physical activity and exercise, smoking cessation, proper nutrition, screening for micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition, and calcium and vitamin D supplementation may be necessary.

References

Abegunde, A.T., Muhammad, B.H., & Ali, T. (2016). Preventive health measures ininflammatory bowel disease. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 22(34), 7625-7644

Mayo Clinic. (2018). Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Diagnosis. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/inflammatory-bowel-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353320

Olendzki, B.C., Silverstein, T.D., Persuitte, G.M., Ma, Y., Baldwin, K.R., & Cave, D. (2014).An anti-inflammatory diet as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease: a case seriesreport. Nutrition Journal, 13(5), 1-7