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Writer's pictureSandra Saint

The Effects of IBD on the Body

Healthcare and patient organizations from 50 countries commemorated World IBD Day on May 19, 2021. The purpose of this annual day is to raise awareness and promote discussion on this GI-tract disease that affects more than 10 million people[ https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/WorldIBDDay ], but is hardly talked about on mainstream platforms. This year’s theme was “Improving Quality Of Life for People with IBD”.

To play our part in raising awareness about IBD and help people with the disease improve their lives, we’re going to discuss the effects it can have on the body to help you determine the severity of the disease and identify flares.


How IBD Affects the Body?

Contrary to popular belief, the effects of IBD are not only limited to the GI tract. Both the IBD diseases – Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis – can also cause problems beyond the GI tract.


Gut-Related IBD Symptoms

Since IBD is a disease of the GI tract, its primary symptoms are related to that only. According to the CDC, some of the most common symptoms of IBD include:

  • Abdominal pain

  • Persistent diarrhea

  • Rectal bleeding

If not treated timely, IBD continues to progress and can lead to several complications. These include:

  • Ulcers (anywhere in the GI tract)

  • Strictures (narrowing of the intestines)

  • Adhesions

  • Bowel obstructions

  • Fistula

  • Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

  • Anal fissures

  • Colon cancer

Symptoms and Effects of IBD beyond the Gut

The symptoms or effects of IBD that are not directly related to the GI tract are called extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs). The most common EIMs of IBD include:

  • Fatigue

  • Weight loss

  • Fever

  • Joints pain

Some other non-GI symptoms or effects that can develop with the worsening of IBD or during flares include:

  • Skin issues, like painful lumps under the skin and ulcers on legs, and lesions in the mouth

  • Eye problems; more common in IB patients over 40 and with joint pain. These may include:

    • Episcleritis – A temporary eye condition that goes away as the disease goes into remission. Symptoms include sensitivity, redness, and burning.

    • Uveitis – Inflammation in the center of the eye

    • Scleritis – A condition that affects the white part of the eyes and can lead to vision loss if not treated.

  • Weak bones, which can lead to osteoporosis

  • Inflammation of the liver

  • Kidney stones

  • Oral ulcers

  • Inflammation of the airways, which makes it difficult to breathe

  • Inflammation and/or scarring of the bile ducts (this is more common in ulcerative colitis)

  • Delayed growth and puberty in children and teens

  • Problems resulting from poor absorption of food, such as nutrient deficiency, dehydration, and malnutrition

  • Psychological stress

The Final Word

Inflammatory bowel diseases are complex health conditions. What makes them even worse is that they are progressive and incurable. The only way to improve the quality of life with IBD is to keep the disease under control with timely and regular treatment along with the lifestyle changes suggested by your doctor.


The purpose of highlighting the effects of IBD on the body is to help people understand the severity of the disease. IBD may be categorized as a GI-tract disorder. However, it can affect the whole body. In view of the diverse extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) of IBD, many researchers even say that the disease should be considered a systemic disorder.

Adopt a proactive approach to avoid extraintestinal manifestations and complications with IBD.

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