Dr Ling Khoon Lin
Gastroenterologist
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Bowel Trouble: How to Manage Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Last updated: Sunday, December 10, 2017 | 3 min reading time
What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
- IBD is a term used to describe chronic diseases characterised by inflammation in the gut or digestive tract
- IBD mainly comes in 2 forms: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
- No specific foods are known to trigger IBD
- Approximately 5 million people worldwide struggle with IBD
- IBD rates are rising in Asia
What do people with IBD struggle with?
- Frequent diarrhoea or stomach pain
- Cost of medication
- Fatigue
- Lack of social acceptance from family and friends
- Needing regular medication, doctor visits and tests
How to treat IBD
Diagnosis may be done using colonoscopy, CT scan or MRI
Treatment may involve medication or intestinal surgery
Medications include:
- Remicade
- Humira
- Entyvio
- Remsima
- Simponi
- Mesalazine
- Steroids
- Azathioprine
- Methotrexate
How to manage IBD costs using your insurance
- If you have an Integrated Shield Plan that covers private hospitalisation, you are eligible for the Cashless service. Call or Whatsapp +65 9834 0999 to find out more.
- Check with your gastroenterologist to find out more on managing IBD with your insurance coverage.
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