Chronic inflammation of the gut can increase the risk of cancer

Prof. Dr. Sedef Kuran said in her statement on intestinal diseases: “Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic, inflammatory bowel diseases of unknown cause, characterized by periods of silence and activation, classified as Crohn’s (inflammatory bowel disease) and ulcerative colitis. Patients with ulcerative colitis usually present with bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain. Very severe diarrhea and bleeding can be life-threatening. In Crohn’s disease, which is known as an inflammatory bowel disease that may involve one or more parts of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, causing thickening and ulcers in the affected part, abdominal pain, inflammation in the breech area, abscesses, fistulas, intestinal strictures and obstructions may occur. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine. It is a disease that develops as a result of inflammation in the inner lining of the gut, which begins at the last part of the colon, almost always called the rectum, but can also affect the upper parts of the colon. Unlike ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gut, from the mouth to the anal canal. Normal intestinal tissue can be found between the lesions. The terminal ileum, the junction of the small intestine and large intestine, is often affected. The entire wall of the gut is affected by inflammation,” he said.

CORRECT DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT

Highlighting the importance of a correct diagnosis in inflammatory bowel disease, Prof Dr Kuran said: “In both diseases, patient history, physical examination findings, blood tests (absence of anemia, inflammatory values), stool tests, abdominal ultrasound, tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in the required cases, passage charts, colonoscopic evaluation and biopsy results in required cases evaluated and diagnosed.It is important to make a good differential diagnosis as it interfaces with many diseases.The disease can be seen at any age but is more common in young people. The middle and upper age range is also a period when the frequency of the disease is increasing. The treatment plan varies depending on the severity of the disease and the site of involvement in the gut. Oral medications, enemas, sometimes corticosteroids and immunosuppressants may be required. In some cases, surgery may be required. Chronic inflammation of the intestines increases the risk of cancer. For this reason, physician checkups and intermittent colonoscopic evaluations of cases are important. In addition, the possible side effects of the medicines used should be monitored. It is very important for our patients to adhere to their doctor, to continue their treatment properly, not to interrupt their checkups and to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle.