Five IBD myths put to the test People with a chronic inflammatory bowel disease often have to deal not only with the physical symptoms but also with the prejudices [...].

Five CED myths put to the test

People with chronic inflammatory bowel disease often have to deal with the prejudices and misconceptions of others in addition to their physical symptoms. Since IBD is still relatively unexplored and at the same time is advertised with a wide variety of promises of a cure, this creates a favorable environment for myths to develop and spread. Numerous false statements about the cause, course and treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are now circulating and persist in people's minds. From half-truths to false claims, they often include everything. This blog post dispels five common myths and shows the actual facts. The aim is to use sound knowledge to better understand and support people with chronic inflammatory bowel disease. 

Contents
  1. Five CED myths put to the test
  2. Myth 1: IBD can be cured by changing your diet
  3. Myth 2: IBD only affects the gut
  4. Myth 3: IBD is the same as irritable bowel syndrome
  5. Myth 4: IBD is contagious
  6. Myth 5: IBD sufferers are healthy if they look healthy
  7. Quick facts:
  8. Other interesting articles

Myth 1: IBD can be cured by changing your diet

The idea that a certain diet can cure IBD persists, but it is a myth. The reason for this is that IBD is chronic and therefore lasts a lifetime. Nevertheless, a balanced diet adapted to individual intolerances and the current phase of the disease can help to prevent deficiencies and positively influence the course of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Nutrition is therefore no substitute for medical treatment, but it can make a decisive contribution to improving the quality of life of people with chronic inflammatory bowel disease and is therefore still very important in everyday life.

Myth 2: IBD only affects the gut

It is often assumed that chronic inflammatory bowel disease is limited exclusively to the intestines. This is also a myth, as Crohn's disease can affect the entire digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. In addition, so-called extraintestinal manifestations, i.e. symptoms outside the intestine, occur. These include joint inflammation, skin changes, psychological stress or inflammation of the eyes and liver. Even if such accompanying symptoms are more common in Crohn's disease, they can also occur in ulcerative colitis and should be taken seriously and discussed with the gastroenterologist treating you. In summary, it can be said that IBD is a systemic disease that can affect the entire body.

Myth 3: IBD is the same as irritable bowel syndrome

At first glance, chronic inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome appear to cause similar symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or flatulence. However, IBD and irritable bowel syndrome are two clearly distinguishable clinical pictures. While IBD is characterized by inflammation in the intestine, irritable bowel syndrome lacks this inflammatory change. As the therapeutic approaches of the two diseases also differ, early diagnosis by the treating specialist is particularly important if symptoms occur.

Myth 4: IBD is contagious

Another widespread misconception is that Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis are contagious. Unlike gastrointestinal infections, IBD is not caused by transmissible viruses or bacteria, but is linked to the body's own immune system. However, the exact causes are still not fully understood. A complex interplay of genetic predispositions, environmental influences and immunological factors is suspected.

Myth 5: IBD sufferers are healthy if they look healthy

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease often has far-reaching, but sometimes not immediately apparent, effects on the everyday lives of those affected. As symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain are still socially shameful, many IBD patients avoid talking about them openly. In addition, the disease is not immediately recognizable from the outside, which is why many IBD patients encounter a lack of understanding in everyday life. It is therefore important to be aware that IBD is not always recognizable at first glance and should not be judged on the basis of outward appearances, but should be dealt with sensitively and empathetically.

Quick facts:

The discussion of the five myths surrounding chronic inflammatory bowel disease shows how important it is to have sound knowledge about IBD in order to avoid misunderstandings and prejudices.

The better informed outsiders and the affected person themselves are about IBD, the more understanding and support people with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can experience and thus improve their quality of life.

Sources

Journalmed. (2023, November 22). 8 myths about inflammatory bowel disease. Journalmed. https://www.journalmed.de/patienteninfos/8-mythen-chronisch-entzuendliche-darmerkrankungen-ced

Mycareplus. Myths and clichés. Mycareplus. https://www.meincareplus.de/de_DE/home/therapiegebiete/darm/wissenswertes-darm/krankheitsmythen-darm.html#:~:text=Erfahren%20Sie%20hier%2C%20was%20an%20den%20popul%C3%A4rsten%20Mythen,Wunder-Di%C3%A4ten%20auf%2C%20die%20eine%20CED%20angeblich%20heilen%20k%C3%B6nnen

Pfizer. Facts and myths about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Pfizer. https://www.pfizer.at/unternehmen/verantwortung/check-deine-fakten/fakten-und-mythen-ced

r-biopharm. (2017, May 18). World IBD Day: 5 myths about inflammatory bowel disease. r-biopharm. https://clinical.r-biopharm.com/de/news/world-ibd-day-five-myths-inflammatory-bowel-diseases/

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Therapy for ulcerative colitis - current treatment approaches based on the S3 guideline

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