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People with fibromyalgia often find themselves struggling with irritable bowel syndrome. In fact, Fibromyalgia makes you more likely to develop a number of different conditions, including things like irritable bowel syndrome. But you don’t often hear people talk about the link between irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia. And that can leave a lot of people with the condition scratching their head and trying to figure out why they’re experiencing the symptoms.
And not only is fibromyalgia sometimes linked to IBS, but it’s also linked to other bowel conditions as well, like ulcerative colitis. So, what is ulcerative colitis? What’s the link between ulcerative colitis and fibromyalgia? And what can you do to treat it?
What Is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a condition where the lining of the digestive tract gets inflamed. Over time, painful ulcers and sores appear in the tissue. These ulcers lead to a number of unpleasant symptoms, such as:
- Blood or pus in the stool.
- Diarrhea.
- Pain in the rectum and abdomen.
- Constipation.
- Weight loss.
- Fever.
- Fatigue.
UC develops gradually. And the symptoms tend to come and go over the years. Some days, they may be worse than others. It also develops in different parts of the digestive system, and doctors classify the condition based on where it is.
But if you’re noticing any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor. They are a good sign that something is definitely wrong.
Ulcerative Colitis And Fibromyalgia
Studies have shown that a large percentage of people with ulcerative colitis also have fibromyalgia. A recent study by the National Institute of Health in the US put the rate at close to 50%. So, obviously, there’s some link between the two conditions.
The problem comes from the fact that we aren’t completely sure what that link is.
In fact, we aren’t even sure what causes ulcerative colitis. The leading theory was that stress and diet were responsible, but evidence suggests that there may be more to it than that, though both do still seem to play a role in the condition.
Instead, the condition may be caused by the immune system. Some doctors theorize that UC is an autoimmune condition, which is any condition where the immune system begins to attack the body’s own tissue. This would explain the inflammation, a common feature among autoimmune conditions.
It might also explain why people with fibromyalgia often develop UC. We know that there is a definite link between fibromyalgia and autoimmune disease. People with one condition are more likely to also have the other. And the reason might actually be stress.
Having fibromyalgia is an extremely stressful thing to live with. You’re trapped in a cycle of constant pain and fatigue, but the world unfortunately still continues to make the same demands on you as when you were healthy. It’s not hard to imagine why that would take an emotional toll on sufferers.
But that stress is also a known trigger for autoimmune diseases. Of course, that’s all speculation. And until we understand more about fibromyalgia and its link to ulcerative colitis, we won’t have a definite answer. Luckily, there are a few things you can still do to treat the condition.
How Can You Treat It?
The first step in treating ulcerative colitis is a diagnosis. The condition is usually diagnosed with a blood test to check for anemia, or a lack of red blood cells, which is a frequent complication of UC. Then, your doctor may want to perform a colonoscopy, which involves using a long flexible camera to check the bowels for ulcers.
Once you’ve been diagnosed, doctors usually prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. One of the most common kinds used to treat UC is a class of drugs called corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are natural chemicals that your body produces to fight inflammation. But synthetic corticosteroids can help bolster your body’s natural healing process and reduce the inflammation in the bowels.
Your doctor may also want to add an immunosuppressant. These drugs reduce the activity of the immune system, which is responsible for the inflammation response. But they do carry the risk of making your immune system weaker, thus making you more likely to get sick.
Finally, your doctor can prescribe medications to help fight the symptoms of the condition like anti-diarrhea medication and iron supplements to fight anemia, along with pain relievers to help fight the intense abdominal pain.
In rare cases, your doctor may want to perform a procedure to remove your colon and rectum. Usually, this is only necessary if you’re experiencing severe complications, but it can often totally cure the condition.
So, have you suffered from bowel problems? Is it related to fibromyalgia? Let us know in the comments.
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