Chronic diarrhea or inflammatory bowel disease may have an unknown cause and be incurable.

More than a decade ago, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was relatively rare, and there were few doctors with experience in diagnosing and treating it. The incidence of IBD has been rising year by year, and the disease is now becoming increasingly well-known. Professor Chen Minhu, chief expert of the Department of Gastroenterology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong Province, stated that 10 years ago they treated only a few dozen IBD patients annually; now, they have over 1,000 patients under long-term follow-up in their department, with approximately 200 new cases each year.

The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease is increasing year by year, the cause is unknown and it is incurable.

Inflammatory bowel disease specifically refers to two diseases: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The difference is that Crohn's disease can affect various parts of the digestive tract (such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon), while ulcerative colitis often affects only the large intestine. Professor Chen Minhu stated that patients with inflammatory bowel disease often experience symptoms such as diarrhea, bloody mucus stools, and abdominal pain.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is most common in young adults, but it can also affect newborns. Some have questioned whether IBD is a hereditary disease. Professor Chen Minhu clarifies that IBD is not a hereditary disease, but children born to patients with IBD have a slightly higher chance of inheriting the condition than children born to patients without IBD. Does this mean that patients with IBD should never have children? Professor Chen Minhu suggests that during active phases of IBD, due to the disease itself and medication, male patients may experience lower sperm quality, and female patients may face higher risks of pregnancy and miscarriage. However, during periods of remission, patients can choose whether to have children under the supervision of a doctor, based on their individual circumstances.

Professor Chen Minhu stated that the exact cause of inflammatory bowel disease is currently unknown, and there is no cure. Once diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, most patients require long-term medication.

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is generally higher in developed regions than in areas with lower living standards. IBD prevalence is higher in urban areas than in rural areas, and higher in developed Western countries than in developing countries. As living standards in China have improved year by year, the prevalence of IBD has also increased annually. Professor Chen Minhu revealed that research on IBD in developed Western countries began 50 years ago, while China only started in the last 10 years.

Inflammatory bowel disease cannot be prevented and medication should not be discontinued midway.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a lifelong condition, and many patients are not cooperative during treatment, often taking medication for a period and then stopping once symptoms subside. Professor Chen Minhu warns that IBD has a long course and often recurs, so patients should not stop medication prematurely. Relapses after stopping medication tend to be more severe, often leading to complications such as massive intestinal bleeding and perforation. Long-term, severe inflammation may also increase the risk of cancer. IBD patients should have regular follow-up appointments at the hospital and take medication under the guidance of a doctor to ensure good disease control and reduce the occurrence of these serious complications.

Professor Chen Minhu stated that IBD is a group of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases with unknown causes, and currently there are no effective preventive measures. Although IBD is a relatively serious chronic disease, it is not fatal. It simply requires regular medication and sometimes hospitalization. During remission, many people feel well and have no symptoms, allowing them to live a normal life.

Inflammatory bowel disease in adolescents can cause growth retardation; early treatment allows children to develop normally.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is most common in people aged 20-40, but can also occur in children and the elderly. Similar to adults, the prevalence of IBD in children has been steadily increasing in recent years. Clinical manifestations include common gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain. Children with IBD often experience systemic symptoms such as growth retardation and weight loss. Professor Chen Minhu advises that if a child experiences persistent fever, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, or other symptoms, they should promptly undergo a colonoscopy to determine if they have IBD. Early treatment can control the progression of the disease and ensure the child's normal growth and development.

Expert Introduction: Professor Chen Minhu, Chief Expert of the Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Province

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