Suffering from an inflammatory bowel condition could increase your chance of stroke in later life, according to a new study.
Research, published in the journal Neurology, suggests that those with the condition also known as IBD are 13 per cent more likely to experience a stroke.
Inflammatory bowel disease includes the likes of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, with the study participants suffering with either condition. The study found that those with IBD had a higher risk of stroke up to 25 year after being diagnosed, highlighting the link between the two health issues.
Study author Dr Jiangwei Sun, of the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, said: “These results show that people with inflammatory bowel disease and their doctors should be aware of this long-term increased risk.
“Screening and management of stroke risk factors may be more urgent in people with IBD.”
Over 85,000 people with IBD confirmed with a biopsy were involved in the study. Researched matched up the participants with up to give people of the same birth year, sex and country of residence without the conditions, providing a total sample of 406,987 people.
The research included a follow-up period of 12 years, where 3,720 IBD sufferers experiencing a stroke. This was compared to 15,599 of those without IBD who suffered a stroke.
But what is Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and what are the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?
What are the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a long-term conditions caused by inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.
The inflammation can impact any part of the digestive system - from the mouth the back passage. However, the inflammation usually occurs in the latter part of the digestive system - in the small intestine (ileum) or the large intestine (colon).
The condition can affect people of all ages, but is usually diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40.
According to NHS Inform, the symptoms of Crohn's disease often include:
- recurring diarrhoea
- abdominal pain and cramping, which is usually worse after eating
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- unintended weight loss
- blood and mucus in your poo
There are also a number of less common symptoms that may appear, such as:
- a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100°F) or above
- feeling sick (nausea)
- being sick (vomiting)
- joint pain and swelling (arthritis)
- inflammation and irritation of the eyes (uveitis)
- areas of painful, red and swollen skin – most often the legs
- mouth ulcers
- anal pain and discharge due to perianal Crohn’s
Many will experience symptoms periodically during flare ups of the disease, with periods of no or mild symptoms. This is known as remission.
This is then followed by periods called flare-ups or relapses where symptoms may become particularly severe.
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition impacting the large bowel (colon and rectum).
The condition results in inflammation of the colon as well as ulcers in the lining of the large bowel. These ulcers can then bleed and produce pus.
The disease can impact people of all ages but is usually diagnosed between 15 and 40-years-old.
NHS Inform lists the symptoms as:
- recurring diarrhoea, which may contain blood, mucus or pus
- abdominal pain
- needing to poo often
Sufferers may also experience:
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
Some people with ulcerative colitis may also experience symptoms in other parts of their body, such as:
- painful and swollen joints (arthritis)
- mouth ulcers
- areas of painful, red and swollen skin
- irritated and red eyes
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