IBD Questions You Don’t Want to Ask the Gastroenterologist

Healthcare professionals tend to be busy, and most usually only get to meet with them for a small period of time. Even when you’re prepared you may not get all of your questions answered. So here are some answers to common questions surrounding IBD, including Crohn’s disease, that you might be too embarrassed to ask. 

What does Prognosis Mean 

Prognosis is a term that talks about the course of the illness and where it will go on. You also may ask if this will ever be fully gone, or if you’ll get remission. You may not get remission with Crohn’s disease, and most of the time, it usually is handled by surgery. 

The prognosis for ulcerative colitis is kind of similar, since less than half usually need surgery. You do have a risk for colon cancer, but most don’t develop it, and usually, most achieve the remission stage. 

Is IBD Fatal? 

You may wonder this, but while any disease is fatal, this one is not considered fatal in terms of conditions. There are complications that can be fatal, but usually the disease itself doesn’t decrease your lifespan. The key for this is to work with a healthcare provider and working through treatment plans to help with this. 

What about Incontinence 

Those who have IBD may experience incontinence otherwise known as fecal soiling, which can make you feel embarrassed and may limit you. Incontinence usually is severe diarrhea, or a weakening of your anus muscles after your surgery.  Discussion is not easy to talk about, but you should discuss this, including whether or not fecal soiling happens, what to do, and treatments to help with this. 

Do I need an Ostomy 

Ostomies of course can happen, and usually involves a stoma in the abdomen to expel waste and such.  Usually, you wear a bag to collect this, and must be emptied on the regular and changed every couple of days. 

Some who do have IDB do experience the need for an ostomy surgery, and usually this is done when most therapies have not worked, or if there is a perforation. Whether or not you need it depends on a lot of variables, and it’s probably impossible to tell, but it may help you in some cases especially if you have IBD. 

Will I Get colon Cancer 

This is a common cancer, and usually, one of the major risk factors includes IBD history. 

While IBD does increase your risk,  while IBD does increase the risk, most of them will not get cancer. Those who have UC do have a higher risk of getting colon cancer than Crohn’s disease, especially if you have it around for a long time. The risk is usually lowest for those who have just in the rectum, but if it’s in the colon, it does create greater risk, which is why screening regularly helps you a lot. You can always talk to someone to get screened to make sure you don’t develop it. 

Will my children have it? 

This is a common question. While there is a genetic chance, the genes are still being studied. But the relationship isn’t simple since IBD may run in families, but there is no specific pattern that goes along with it.Luckily, if you’re worried about it, and you’re not sure whether or not you’ll have it, you can talk to a gastroenterologist and the genetic counselor in order to determine not just the risk factors, but also as well anything that you might need to know as well about IBD in your children.