The best herbs for joint pain

Arthritis is a general term that describes a family of medical conditions characterized by joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Herbs and other natural remedies may help relieve joint pain.

Medical treatments, regular exercise, and proper nutrition can also help a person manage their arthritis symptoms.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, the condition affects over 50 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States. Natural remedies, such as herbs and supplements, might be safe, effective treatment options with few significant side effects.

However, research in the field of natural remedies remains limited. Scientific studies often use animal models or cell lines to test plant compounds. Very few clinical trials exist.

That said, the research that does exist shows promising results, and more research will reveal even more vital information for the medical community.

Continue reading this article to discover the six best herbs for arthritis.

1. Borage oil

The seeds of the Borago officinalis plant, or starflower, contain large quantities of an omega-6 fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). It also contains linolenic acid, the precursor of GLA.

When the body metabolizes it, GLA converts into a precursor of prostaglandin, an eicosanoid (or signaling molecule) that helps regulate immune responses in the body.

A 2011 systematic review found moderate evidence to suggest that oils containing GLA, such as blackcurrant seed oil, evening primrose oil, and borage seed oil, may relieve pain and improve function in people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

However, high concentrations of GLA may have a toxic effect on cells. A 2013 study examined the effects of borage oil and GLA on cell cultures.

According to the findings, the authors recommended using borage seed oil instead of GLA because the former protects DNA from oxidative stress.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric is a yellow spice and medicinal herb that originated in India. The orange pulp inside the stem contains the potent plant compound curcumin.

One 2018 article cited findings from a number of animal studies and two trials suggesting that curcumin may reduce chronic inflammation due to RA.

However, the body cannot absorb large quantities of curcumin, which can limit its therapeutic application.

That being said, a compound called piperine — which is present in black pepper — can reduce inflammation and improve curcumin absorption, according to one 2018 study.

 Source: Medical News Today

Gold injections: Can they treat rheumatoid arthritis?

Gold treatments were one of the earliest treatments for rheumatoid arthritis going back at least 75 years.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Medications can slow down the disease, while complementary therapies can help people cope with the joint pain and stiffness, chronic fatigue, and other symptoms, such as low-grade fevers and dry skin and eyes.

While gold injections were once praised for their high rates of remission, their use has declined and they are no longer being made. This is due to potentially severe side effects and the development of stronger and better-tolerated RA medicines.

What are gold injections?

Gold injections are made from a compound called sodium aurothiomalate, which contains gold. Sodium aurothiomalate belongs to a class of drugs called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or DMARDs.

DMARDs are known for their inflammation-blocking qualities. If inflammation in the body is not blocked, it can cause the joints and tissues to wear down to the point of disability in just a few years.

Like other DMARDs, gold injections reduce the immune system's response. As a result, they should be used with care.

As these medications suppress the immune system to stop inflammation, they also increase the risk of infection. It is therefore important for people to take care to avoid infections, get treated quickly for symptoms of a possible infection, and discuss the use of any live vaccines with their doctors.

Examples of live vaccines include:

·         the nasal spray flu vaccine

·         vaccine injections for varicella (chickenpox)

·         the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella)

Treating RA with gold

Gold injections have long been used to treat RA and other inflammatory joint diseases. They have previously been proven successful for many people with RA.

These injections are not pain relievers, but they decrease pain because they decrease inflammation. They may also help in managing morning joint stiffness and swelling associated with RA.

Gold treatment was once the norm for treating moderate to severe RA. Its use goes back to the 1920s when gold compounds were treatments for tuberculosis.

Researchers once thought that RA and tuberculosis were related. Eventually, that theory was debunked, and the idea that gold could treat RA and provide significant symptom relief was confirmed.

The anti-inflammatory properties of gold compounds are unknown. However, there has been enough evidence to confirm that gold can inhibit behavior of substances responsible for production of antibodies and the release of inflammatory cytokines.

Due to the number and severity of side effects that they cause, gold treatments are now rarely used to treat RA and other inflammatory conditions. Doctors are prescribing other DMARDs instead, including methotrexate, which is considered safer.

Previous research has shown gold injections to be just as effective as methotrexate, according to a historical report of RA treatments in the medical journal, JSM Arthritis. Although rarely prescribed, gold therapy remains the most effective treatment for some people.

How is treatment given?

Gold injections are injected into a muscle, usually the buttock, by a medical professional. Individuals need to lie down during injection and wait at least 10 minutes before sitting up or standing to avoid lightheadedness.

Dosage depends on the person's medical condition, the severity of symptoms, and their response to treatment. Injections are given once a week until there is improvement. After that, they are given twice a month or less. If RA symptoms return or worsen, then an individual will go back to having the injections weekly.

Gold injection treatment must be used regularly for the best results. It can take up to 3 months before people see significant results. People should inform their doctors if symptoms do not get better or worsen after this time.

Risks and side effects

Just like other DMARDs, gold injections may cause side effects, including:

·         dizziness

·         nausea and vomiting

·         flushing and sweating

·         lightheadedness

·         increased joint pain at the start of treatment

·         kidney disease

People should inform their doctors of any serious side effects, including any of the following:

·         eye pain

·         mood or mental state changes, such as confusion or hallucinations

·         fainting

·         difficulty breathing

·         stomach pain

·         skin rash or another allergic reaction

·         lower leg edema

Source: Medical News Today

What does it mean if your ESR is high?

The ESR test measures the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which is how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a blood sample. Doctors cannot use the results of the test to diagnose a specific disease because many different health conditions can cause the ESR to be high or low.

Doctors call the ESR test a nonspecific test, as it only confirms the presence or absence of inflammatory activity in the body. Doctors typically use other lab tests, clinical findings, and the person's health history alongside ESR test results to make a diagnosis.

Inflammation usually occurs in the body as a result of underlying medical conditions, such as infection, cancer, or an autoimmune disease.

Doctors also use the ESR test to monitor how conditions, such as those below, are progressing or responding to treatment.

·         rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the joints

·         temporal arteritis, a type of blood vessel inflammation

·         polymyalgia rheumatica, a complication of temporal arteritis

·         systemic vasculitis, inflammation of the lining of the blood vessels

In this article, we look at the ESR test procedure and what the results might indicate. We also explain the possible risks of the procedure.

Procedure

The ESR test measures the rate at which the red blood cells, or erythrocytes, in a sample of blood settle at the bottom. This process of settling is called sedimentation.

A doctor will draw a small amount of blood from the individual's vein and send it to a laboratory. There, lab technicians will transfer the blood to a vertical test tube in which the red blood cells will slowly settle at the bottom. This will leave a clear, yellowish fluid at the top, which is blood plasma.

The result of the test will depend on the amount of plasma at the top of the tube after 1 hour. The measurement will be in millimeters per hour (mm/hr).

Red blood cells settle at a faster rate in people with inflammatory conditions. These conditions trigger an inflammatory process in the body, which leads to an increase in the number of proteins in the blood. This increase causes red blood cells to clump together and settle more quickly.

People whose red blood cells settle faster will have elevated ESR values, indicating to doctors that a medical condition may be present.

Results

The result of the ESR test is the amount of plasma remaining at the top of the test tube after 1 hour.

The test is not specific to a particular condition, which means that doctors have to use the results alongside other clinical information to make an accurate diagnosis and determine whether or not the individual has a disease.

The normal reference range for ESR results is 1–13 mm/hr for males and 1–20 mm/hr for females. These values can also vary depending on the person's age. People with ESR results outside the standard range may have a medical condition.

Low levels

People with low ESR values may have:

·         sickle cell anemia, a condition that affects the shape of red blood cells

·         leukemia, a blood cell cancer

·         a high red blood cell count

·         congestive heart failure

·         low levels of the protein fibrinogen in the blood

·         hyperviscosity, an increase in blood thickness

·         a very high white blood cell count

Moderately elevated results

A moderately elevated ESR may not always indicate a health condition.

However, it is possible that people whose ESR value is slightly high may have one of the following conditions:

·         rheumatoid arthritis

·         anemia, a reduced number of red blood cells

·         thyroid disease

·         kidney disease

·         red blood cell abnormalities, such as macrocytosis

·         some forms of cancer, such as lymphoma

·         tuberculosis, a type of lung infection

·         a bone infection

·         a heart infection

·         a systemic infection

Extremely elevated results

An extremely high ESR value, which is one above 100 mm/hr, may indicate one of these conditions:

·         multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells

·         Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, a white blood cell cancer

·         temporal arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica

·         hypersensitivity vasculitis, a reaction to an allergen that results in blood vessel inflammation

Doctors will typically compare the ESR test result with other test results to confirm a suspected diagnosis. They will also consider the symptoms and signs that a person is experiencing and their personal and family medical history.

 Source: Medical News Today

Does meditation really make us better people?

According to popular belief, the ancient practice of meditation makes us all happier, shinier, more compassionate human beings. Most of those things might be true – except the compassionate part, suggests new research.

"So... I'm driving, feeling really good about myself, and just like – just so much better than everyone else that's so mad. And that's what meditation's for, is to feel superior to others."

This is the set-up of a joke by one of my favorite stand-up comedians, the hilariously neurotic Jen Kirkman. After meditating for a whole 5 minutes one morning, Jen gets all contemplative in front of a green light, stops the car, and annoys the hell out of every driver behind her who's trying to get to work.

One driver starts yelling at her and calling her names, she lies and says her mother had just died, the whole thing escalates into a hilarious episode of road rage, which culminates with her standing in her seat, poking her head through the sunroof of her car and shouting at the guy: "I'm not crazy!!! I meditated, you... [insert profanity here]!!!"

"I didn't say I was a good person, I just said I meditated," Jen tells the audience, reminding us that the two are often mistakenly conflated. As her anecdote illustrates, meditation doesn't always make you a better person – in fact, according to a new study, it almost never does.

An international team of researchers examined 20 existing studies for evidence that mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation promote less aggression, more kindness, and more pro-social behavior. Contrary to the researchers' expectations, they didn't find any.

Meditation research is biased, study finds

Meditation practices, even devoid of the religious connotations, still "seem to offer the hope of a better self and a better world to many," says a co-author of the new study, Dr. Miguel Farias, from the Centre for Advances in Behavioural Science at Coventry University in the United Kingdom.

But, he continues, "Despite the high hopes of practitioners and past studies, our research found that methodological shortcomings greatly influenced the results we found."

Specifically, it turned out that the studies that reported a rise in levels of compassion among meditators were authored by the very same meditation teacher! "This reveals that the researchers might have unintentionally biased their results," says Dr. Farias.

"Most of the initial positive results disappeared when the meditation groups were compared to other groups that engaged in tasks unrelated to meditation," the co-author adds.

So what does this mean? Should we discredit meditation altogether? Not at all, the researchers say.

"None of this, of course, invalidates Buddhism or other religions' claims about the moral value and eventually life-changing potential of its beliefs and practices. But our research findings are a far cry from many popular claims made by meditators and some psychologists."

Dr. Miguel Farias

Source: Medical News Today

Mild cognitive impairment: Meditation can boost brain health

Research shows that adults with mild cognitive impairment who practice mindfulness meditation could experience a boost in cognitive reserve.

Researchers from Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, NC, published a paper in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease that highlights their findings.

While the study was small and only involved 14 participants, the team found an association between mindfulness meditation and signs of improved measures of cognition in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

No current treatments or therapies exist that help prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease in people with MCI, which is often the first step on the way to this disease, but research into this topic is ongoing.

This prompted Dr. Rebecca Erwin Wells to launch the study and see if there was another avenue to explore.

Dr. Wells is an associate professor of neurology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, a practicing neurologist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, and associate director of clinical research for its Center for Integrative Medicine.

Mindfulness-based meditation may be key

For the study, the researchers recruited 14 men and women between the ages of 55 and 90 years who had received a diagnosis of MCI.

They randomized these participants into two groups. The first group took part in an 8 week course of mindfulness meditation and yoga, while the control group joined a "waiting list" for the course instead.

The study revealed that those who participated in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) had improved cognition. The study also showed that this practice had positive effects on the hippocampus, which is a part of the brain that plays a role in memory and learning.

Prior research has shown that chronic stress can negatively affect the hippocampus, potentially contributing to MCI and Alzheimer's. This study shows that there may be an option that does not involve medication or pharmaceutical trials.

One concern prior to the study was that the participants, due to the nature of MCI, would not be able to learn the new skill of mindfulness meditation. However, the researchers found that cognitive impairments did not prevent the participants from being able to learn and successfully use the technique.

"Until treatment options that can prevent the progression to Alzheimer's are found, mindfulness meditation may help patients living with MCI," says Dr. Wells.

"Our study showed promising evidence that adults with MCI can learn to practice mindfulness meditation, and by doing so, may boost their cognitive reserve."

Dr. Rebecca Erwin Wells.

Source: Medical News Today

"Designing a blood test that can predict lifespan"

The ability to predict how long someone is likely to live would help doctors tailor treatment plans. A new study looking at biomarkers in the blood concludes that more accurately estimating mortality might soon be possible.

As it stands, doctors can predict mortality within the final year of life with some degree of accuracy.

However, predicting it over longer periods — such as 5–10 years — is not yet possible.

A group of scientists who recently published a paper in the journal Nature Communicationshope that they are now on the path toward developing a reliable predictive tool.

They believe that a blood test might one day be able to predict whether someone is likely to live 5 or 10 more years. The authors explain that this would help doctors make important treatment decisions.

For instance, they would be able to ascertain if an older adult is healthy enough to have surgery, or help identify those in most need of medical intervention.

A test like this might also benefit clinical trials: Scientists could monitor how an intervention impacts mortality risk without having to run trials until enough people die.

Predicting longevity

Currently, blood pressure and cholesterol levels can give doctors an impression of a person's likely lifespan. However, in older adults, these measures become less useful.

Counterintuitively, for people aged 85 or over, higher blood pressure and higher cholesterol levelsare linked with lower mortality risk.

Scientists from Brunel University London in the United Kingdom and Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands set out to identify any biomarkers in the blood that might help tackle this issue.

Their study is the largest of its kind, taking data from 44,168 people ages 18–109. During the study's follow-up period, 5,512 of these people died.

The team initially identified metabolic markers associated with mortality. From this information, they created a scoring system to predict when a person might die.

Next, the researchers compared the reliability of the scoring system with that of a model based on standard risk factors. To do this, they studied data from a further 7,603 individuals, 1,213 of whom died during follow-up.

Mortality metabolites

After whittling down a long list of metabolites, the researchers settled on 14 biomarkers independently associated with mortality.

Having higher concentrations of some of the 14 biomarkers — including histidine, leucine, and valine — is associated with decreased mortality.

Conversely, having lower concentrations of others — such as glucose, lactate, and phenylalanine — is associated with increased mortality.

The scientists demonstrated that the combination of biomarkers could predict mortality equally well in both males and females. They also tested their findings across several age groups, concluding that "[a]ll 14 biomarkers [...] showed consistent associations with mortality across all strata."

The biomarkers they identified are involved in a wide range of processes in the body, including fluid balance and inflammation. Also, scientists have already linked most of them to mortality risk in previous studies.

However, this was the first time that researchers have demonstrated their predictive power when combined into one model.

This study is just the next step along a path that might lead to a usable blood test. However, the study authors feel encouraged:

"A score based on these 14 biomarkers and sex leads to improved risk prediction as compared [with] a score based on conventional risk factors."

Source: Medical News Today

What to know about inflammatory bowel disease

I

nflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella term for a number of long-term conditions that involve inflammation of the digestive tract, or the gut.

According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects up to 1.6 million Americans. The majority of these people are diagnosed before age 30.

IBD is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but the two conditions are different. IBD is a more serious condition, which may lead to a number of complications including damage to the bowel and malnutrition.

Types of IBD

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease combined affect up to 1.6 million Americans.

The two main types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Ulcerative colitis

This condition, which may affect up to 907,000 American people, causes inflammation of the large intestine (colon). There are different classes of ulcerative colitis depending on its location and severity:

·         Ulcerative proctitis: Inflammation is confined to the rectum. This tends to be the mildest form of ulcerative colitis.

·         Universal colitis or pancolitis: Inflammation affects the entire colon.

·         Proctosigmoiditis: Inflammation affects the rectum and lower end of the colon.

·         Distal colitis: Inflammation extends from the rectum and up the left colon.

·         Acute severe ulcerative colitis: A rare form that affects the entire colon and causes severe symptoms and pain.

Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract - from mouth to anus - although the most commonly affected areas are the final section of the small intestine and the colon.

Crohn's disease may affect up to 780,000 Americans. The disease can occur at any age, but it is most common in those aged 15 to 35.

While ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two major forms of classic IBD, other types include lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis. If doctors are unable to distinguish between the two main types of IBD, the condition is classed as indeterminate colitis.

What is Crohn's disease?

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Causes

It is not known what causes IBD, but many experts believe several factors may play a role:

·         Immune function: IBD may result when an abnormal immune system response to bacteria, viruses, or food particles, triggers an inflammatory reaction in the gut.

·         Genetics: Links have been discovered between IBD and certain gene mutations. Up to 20 percent of those with ulcerative colitis have a close relative with IBD, but no specific pattern to heredity has been established.

·         Bacteria or viruses: Research has linked both E.coli and enteroviruses to Crohn's disease.

·         Environmental: Factors such as smoking, oral contraceptives, diet, breastfeeding, vaccinations, antibiotics, and others have been investigated as potential causes.

Risk factors

A number of risk factors have also been identified in the onset of IBD, including:

·         Age: most people are diagnosed before age 30.

·         Ethnicity: Caucasians and Ashkenazi Jews are at higher risk than others.

·         Genetics: People with a close relative with IBD are at higher risk.

·         Location: People living in urban areas and in industrialized countries are more likely to be diagnosed with IBD.

·         Medications: Use of certain medications, such as isotretinoin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications may increase the risk.

·         Smoking: Smokers are at higher risk of developing Crohn's disease, although ulcerative colitis mainly affects nonsmokers.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary according to the location and severity of the disease, as well as the type of disease. The following symptoms are common to both types of IBD:

Difficult bowel movements and diarrhea are common symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

·         blood in the stool

·         diarrhea

·         fatigue

·         fever

·         lack of appetite

·         nausea

·         painful or difficult bowel movements

·         a feeling that the bowels are not empty after a bowel movement

·         pus or mucus in the stool

·         stomach pain and cramps

·         vomiting

·         night sweats

·         weight loss

IBD may also be associated with symptoms that do not appear to be related to the digestive system, such as:

·         joint pain

·         canker sores in the mouth

·         inflammation of the eyes

·         skin disorders

·         irregular periods in females

Children with IBD can also experience impaired growth.

Those with IBD can experience periods where symptoms worsen - called flares or relapses - and periods with little or no symptoms, known as remission. Flares vary in their number, intensity, and duration.

The goal of treatment is to bring IBD into remission, and keep it there for as long as possible.

Complications

A number of complications are associated with IBD - some of which can be life-threatening. Possible complications of Crohn's disease include:

·         bowel obstruction

·         colon cancer

·         fistulas, abnormal tunnels in the gut

·         malnutrition

Possible complications of ulcerative colitis include:

·         colon cancer

·         fulminant colitis, where normal contractions of the intestinal wall stop temporarily

·         a hole or tear in the colon

·         strictures or narrowing of the colon

·         toxic megacolon, where swelling and trapped gas can lead to colon rupture, septicemia, and shock

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Diagnosis

In order to diagnose IBD, a doctor will take a full medical history before ordering one or more diagnostic tests. Types of tests used include:

·         stool sample

·         blood tests to test for anemia or infection

·         X-rays, if a serious complication is suspected

·         CT scan

·         MRI scans, to detect fistulas in the small intestine or anal area

Endoscopic procedures may also be used. A flexible probe with a camera attached is inserted through the anus. These procedures help uncover intestinal damage and allow the doctor to take a small sample of tissue to examine. Types of endoscopic procedures typically used include:

·         colonoscopy - to examine the entire colon

·         flexible sigmoidoscopy - to examine the last section of the colon

·         upper endoscopy - to examine the food pipe, stomach, and first part of small intestine

A capsule endoscopy is another option. This procedure requires a person to swallow a capsule that has a camera inside, which allows a doctor to examine the small intestine.

Treatment

There is no cure for IBD. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms, achieve and maintain remission, and avoid associated complications. The most common available treatments are medications and surgery.

Medication

Doctors may prescribe drugs, beginning with the milder ones first and working up to more aggressive treatments.

·         Anti-inflammatory drugs: 5-ASA medications are typically the first line of defense against IBD symptoms. They reduce inflammation in the gut, and may help achieve and maintain remission.

·         Corticosteroids: Fast-acting anti-inflammatory steroids that may be prescribed if the milder class of anti-inflammatories aren't effective. They are only used to treat flares and should not be used long-term.

·         Immune suppressors: These work by preventing the immune system from attacking the bowel cells, leading to a reduction in inflammation. They can take up to 3 months to take effect, and cause a number of side effects such as increased susceptibility to infection.

·         Biologic therapies: Antibodies that target certain substances responsible for inflammation in the body.

In addition, other medications recommended for those with IBD can include:

·         antibiotics

·         antidiarrheal drugs

·         laxatives

·         vitamin and mineral supplements, for cases of nutritional deficiency associated with IBD

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat IBD symptoms and complications. Surgery may be recommended to widen a narrow bowel or remove fistulas.

People who have ulcerative colitis, may undergo surgery to remove the colon and rectum. Those with Crohn's disease may have surgery to remove certain portions of the intestines.

Management

Certain dietary and lifestyle factors are thought to make IBD symptoms worse. Making positive changes in these areas can help manage symptoms, reduce flares, and even maintain remission.

Diet

Keeping a daily food log can help identify which foods cause IBD symptoms.

Dietary measures that may be beneficial for those with IBD include:

·         keeping a food diary to track if certain symptoms are associated with certain foods

·         limiting the intake of dairy products

·         limiting the intake of high-fat foods

·         limiting or avoiding spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol

·         limiting high-fiber foods, particularly if narrowing of the bowel is an issue

·         eating frequent small meals rather than several large ones

·         drinking plenty of water

·         taking vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent deficiencies

Stress

Many people with IBD say they experience more severe symptoms during stressful periods. Learning to manage stress may help reduce the number and severity of these types of flare-ups.

Stress management techniques include exercise, meditation, breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and engaging in hobbies and other enjoyable activities.

Smoking

Smoking has been shown to negatively affect those with Crohn's disease. Not only is smoking a risk factor for developing the disease, but it also makes symptoms worse.

Some research has suggested that smoking may actually benefit those with ulcerative colitis but the health risks associated with smoking far outweigh any benefits.

Emotional support

IBD can have an emotional effect on those with the condition, especially in severe cases. Therefore, it is important to have a good network of supports among family and friends.

People with IBD might consider joining an IBD support group or attending counseling sessions, which they may find beneficial.

Prevention

Because the exact cause of IBD is not yet known, it is difficult to know how best to prevent it.

The genetic factors associated with IBD are beyond a person's control but it is possible to reduce the risk by eating a healthful diet, quitting smoking, and exercising regularly.

Outlook

Although there is no cure for IBD, it can be managed with medical interventions and lifestyle changes.

With effective treatment, approximately 50 percent of those with Crohn's disease will be in remission or only have mild symptoms in the next 5 years. Around 45 percent of people in remission won't experience a relapse in the next year.

In any given year, 48 percent of those with ulcerative colitis are in remission, and 30 percent have mild symptoms. The longer someone remains in remission, the less likely they are to experience a flare in the following year.

Death due to IBD or its complications is uncommon. People with Crohn's disease have only a slightly higher overall mortality rate than the general population. Those with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis do not have a higher risk.

If people experience any persistent changes in bowel habits or any other symptoms of IBD, they should consult their doctor.

Source : MedicalNewsToday