Understanding Chronic IBD Can Help You Reduce the Risk of Colon Cancer

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease is a disease that affects the small intestine, large intestine, and rectum. Unfortunately, the exact cause of the disease is unknown; however, it is suspected to be caused by genetic factors, an imbalance in the body's immune system, viral or bacterial infections, or even certain lifestyle factors such as an unhealthy diet, smoking, or stress — all of which can stimulate chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Chronic IBD can occur in people of any age and any gender.

However, chronic IBD is mostly found among people 30 to 40 years of age and is more common in Europe and America than in Asia — although, currently, the incidence of chronic IBD is on the rise in Thailand. According to the Gastroenterology Advisor Website, in 2023, more than 0.7% of Americans were diagnosed with chronic IBD. It is most prevalent in North America, while the prevalence rate in Asia is 0.4%.

The two main types of chronic inflammatory bowel disease:

• Ulcerative Colitis - This occurs only in the large intestine. Symptoms include frequency, mucus or fresh blood in the stool, incomplete bowel evacuation, painful straining, arthritis, and eye inflammation.
• Crohn's Disease - This Occurs in all parts of the digestive system. The inflammation can worsen to the point that the intestines perforate or become blocked. Symptoms often include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stool, weight loss, and anal abscesses. Malnutrition and anemia may also occur. Deep wounds may also develop and penetrate nearby organs such as the vagina, bladder, and skin around the anus. Abscesses in the abdomen may develop if the inflammation is severe.

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic at Bumrungrad International Hospital is staffed by a team of highly experienced specialist doctors which includes gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, specialist nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, and psychological counselors. In addition, we have state-of-the-art diagnostic technology and a laboratory that enables fast and accurate biopsy results. We also offer individualized treatment plans including tailored medications, behavioral and dietary modifications, and nutritional guidance.

Satimai Aniwan, MD, Associate Professor, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at Bumrungrad International Hospital, said, "Bumrungrad International Hospital currently provides tertiary care and is committed to becoming a quaternary care hospital. We have all the modern equipment and medical technology required for comprehensive examination and treatment. Moreover, we have teams of experienced specialist doctors and medical personnel who understand every expectation of our patients and strive to provide accurate and targeted examinations, diagnoses, and treatments. We aim to be people's first choice and the top healthcare destination by earning and keeping the trust of all our patients."

In addition, the Bumrungrad Digestive Disease Center is a leader in innovation and a provider of medical care excellence, offering international standards of care comparable to leading hospitals in the United States. The center has been mentioned in MDEdge, a medical journal published by the American Gastroenterology Association, and is widely accepted by the gastroenterology specialist community. The Bumrungrad Digestive Disease Center is recognized as being one of the first centers in the world to utilize modern techniques such as Bariatric Endoscopy, which allows patients to lose up to 44% of their body weight, and the Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication technique to treat GERD. The center was also the first to utilize the Full-Thickness Resection Device to diagnose and treat early-stage colon and stomach cancer. Such techniques have also shown to be successful in detecting small tumors that could lead to early-stage cancer. Targeted treatment planning is also used to help increase patient survival rates.

Bumrungrad International Hospital is the first private hospital in Thailand to have a Chronic Intestinal Inflammation Clinic within its Digestive Disease Center. The center delivers safe, effective care through its teams of doctors and multidisciplinary medical professionals, state-of-the-art technology, and advanced treatment programs, which are tailored to the exact needs of each patient. It focuses on treating symptoms by reducing inflammation and preventing complications to improve patient quality of life.

For more information, please contact the Bumrungrad Hospital Digestive Disease Center, located on the 2nd floor of Building B or call us at +66 2 011 2167 - 8 or 1378 (local calls only).

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