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Step 1
Educate yourself about inflammatory bowel disease by reading "Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Guide for Patients and Their Families" co-authored by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. See the Resources section below for a link.
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Step 2
Learn more about the two most diagnosed inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Browse "The Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Fact Book" for information about symptoms and treatment. See the Resources section below for a link.
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Step 3
Access the facts about inflammatory bowel disease with the book "Fast Facts Inflammatory Bowel Disease." This book's aim to educate health care professionals and patients make it a practical resource for people who want to learn more about IBD. See the Resources section below for a link.
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Step 1
Know that abdominal pain and discomfort is one of the first signs of an inflammatory bowel disease. Pain could be sharp, severe and intermittent or dull and constant. The abdominal area may be sore to the touch.
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Step 2
Pay attention to your bowel cycles. You can recognize inflammatory bowel disease symptoms like diarrhea and constipation by their frequency. Regular bouts of diarrhea (10 to 20 times per day) and constipation that may be caused by a bowel obstruction are symptoms of IBD.
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Step 3
Share the details of your current physical health with your doctor. Your doctor can help you recognize whether your symptoms might be an IBD or another medical condition with similar symptoms.
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Step 4
Take your temperature during severe bouts of what you think are inflammatory bowel symptoms. IBD patients often run temperatures during intense flare-ups that might be a symptom of intestinal infection.
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Step 5
Consider asking the opinion of a gastroenterologist. Gastroenterologists specialize in inflammatory bowel disease and can give you an informed opinion about your symptoms.
