Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of conditions that affect the colon and the small intestine. Nearly 20 of every 100,000 people in the United States suffer from inflammatory bowel disease. The two main medical conditions that fall into this category are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Accutane, also known as Isotretinoin, is a medication that is used to treat acne.  Accutane has many reported side effects.   It has been linked to bowel problems, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis , and Crohn’s disease.  In June 2009, the manufacturer of Accutane announced that it notified the FDA of its intent to discontinue the manufacture and distribution of Accutane in the United States..

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores on the lining of the colon and rectum. These sores, or ulcers, are formed wherever the cells that usually reside along these walls have been killed due to inflammation. The ulcers will bleed and produce pus. Some of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis are diarrhea, fatigue, unintended weight loss, skin lesions, growth failure, and bleeding from the rectum. A colonoscopy is the most accurate method of diagnosis but blood tests and stool samples may also be used to diagnose the problem.

Crohn’s Disease is a disorder that causes the digestive tract to become inflamed. It is most commonly found in the ileum of the lower intestine, though it can affect any area of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. This swelling will occur deep in the affected organ, and is very painful. Symptoms for Crohn’s Disease include abdominal pain that most often occurs in the lower right side, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, arthritis, and weight loss. Crohn’s Disease is easiest to diagnose during an upper GI series or a colonoscopy.

There is no known cure for either of these conditions. However, they can be treated,. The type of treatment depends on the severity of the individual case, and can include anything from drug therapy and nutritional supplementation to surgery.  If you think you may have inflammatory bowel disease, you should consult your physician immediately.

Do you believe you or a loved one has been injured by Accutane®? Goldberg & Osborne can help.

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