The list of
extraintestinal manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease is extensive.
Those newly diagnosed in particular, could easily not realise which of their
other conditions are actually related to their IBD.
I have been
guilty multiple times of linking things to IBD when I have been unwell, which
have turned out to be completely unrelated, and I should in fact have sought
help for sooner. Equally, I have not linked things to IBD (or the medications I
am taking to treat it) and been completely off the mark there too!
I like a
list, and I feel this is the perfect time for numerous lists, for simplicity
and clarity. Please remember I am not a doctor and this is by no means a
complete list. I have no doubt some of you will spot something I have missed.
Primary symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel
Disease:
Stomach
cramps / spasms
Fever
Diarrhoea
and / or constipation
Bloody stool
Decrease in
appetite / Weight loss
Increased
wind (which is actually a sign of the intestine being inflamed)
Tenesmus
Secondary symptoms and other autoimmune
conditions related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease:
Fatigue
Strictures
Nutritional
deficiencies
Fistulas
Anaemia
Skin tags
Anal
fissures
Malabsorption
/ Malnutrition
Blood clots
(including DVT)
Thinning /
weakened bones
Depression
Anxiety
Joints (pain,
swelling and inflammation)
·
Arthralgia
·
Peripheral Arthritis
·
Axial Arthritis / Spondylitis
·
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Oral
·
Aphthous ulcers
·
Canker sores
·
Herpetiform ulcers
·
Dental cavities
·
Periodontitis
Eyes
·
Episcleritis
·
Scleritis
·
Uveitis / iritis
·
Keratopathy
Skin
·
Erhthema nodosum
·
Psoriasis
·
Pyoderma gangrenosum
·
Rosacea
·
Acrodermatitis enteropathica
·
Pyoderma vegetans
·
Vasculitis
·
Vitiligo
·
Clubbing
·
Sweet’s syndrome
·
Eczema
·
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita
Kidneys
·
Kidney stones
·
Enterovesical fistulas
·
Ureteral obstruction
·
Uric acid stones
·
Hydronephrosis
Liver
·
Hepatic Steatosis / Fatty Liver Disease
·
Cholelithiasis
·
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
·
Pericholangitis
·
Cryptogenic Cirrhosis
·
Autoimmune hepatitis
·
Gallstones
Rheumatoid
arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Side effects of medications include but are
not limited to:
Acne
Joint pain
Thinning of
the skin
Increases
susceptibility to infection
Fatigue
Hair loss
Insomnia
Thinning /
weakened bones
Nausea
Increased risk
of lymphoma and skin cancer
It’s always worth seeking advice from a GP if a new health issue occurs as even
if these are IBD related, they can be treated with different medications.
I hope I made my point here that Inflammatory Bowel Disease is MUCH MORE than a disease only affecting the intestines..