Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes long-term inflammation within the digestive tract. Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis fall under the category of IBD, which can cause symptoms like abdominal cramping, diarrhoea, and fatigue, among many other effects.
With IBD, people often experience flare-ups that cause acute bouts of pain. IBD can also lead to problems with chronic pain, which is described as pain that occurs independently of flare-ups and persists for three months or longer.
Researchers believe that chronic pain can result from the physical and psychological effects often associated with IBD. In some cases, repeated bouts of inflammation can lead to damage of the tissues within the digestive tract, which can contribute to persistent pain. Inflammation can still cause effects even after it has been resolved, as the central nervous system may become more sensitive to pain signals over time.
Because IBD causes repeated flare-ups, people with the condition may also experience psychological effects related to pain. Patterns of negative thinking known as pain catastrophizing can lead someone to feel that their pain is much worse than it actually is. People with IBD can also experience mental health issues like anxiety and depression, which can impact how people perceive pain.
Proper management of IBD can help mitigate chronic pain. In this case, patients may benefit from one or more of the following interventions:
Some people with IBD will need to undergo surgery to reduce pain and improve digestive function. It is important for people with this condition to confer with their doctor about their symptoms and follow the advice of medical professionals to reduce the impact of IBD.