How often does a patient require to undergo endoscopy (colonoscopy/ sigmoidoscopy)?
After the initial endoscopy (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy), patient would require undergoing repeat endoscopies in the initial stages every 3-6 months or depending on the clinical course (improvement of the disease).

What is the treatment of IBD?
The treatment of IBD consists of using 5-ASA and if necessary steroids. These drugs have had excellent results and have saved the lives of thousands of patients.

Can IBD be cured? Does it require life long treatment?
The word "cured" may not apply. However, the patient remains symptom free or in remission for a long time. Theoretically patient would require life long treatment.

How serious is IBD ? What are its complications?
Normally Inflammatory Bowel Disease is not a serious condition. However, occasionally it can land up in life threatening complications.
The commonest minor complications are:-



The major complications are severe bleeds or toxic megacolon.

When is surgery required? What is the surgery done ?
Surgery is necessary if the disease does not come under control with medical treatment and or there are life-threatening complications.
Surgical treatment consists of removing Large intestine in Ulcerative colitis and or affected part of large or small intestine in Crohn’s disease.

If the intestine is removed, can the patient survive ?
Patient can survive very well when the large intestine is removed and can also survive if small portion of small intestine removed.

Does a special diet help in IBD ?
There is no special diet that can help IBD. However, it is prudent to avoid chillies, fried feeds and outside food.

What is the prognosis of a patient with IBD ?
By and large prognosis of IBD is reasonably good. If patient understands the illness and accepts the illness, they remain happy.

Last created on 24-06-2002
Last updated on 18-11-2006