Enteropathic Arthritis

Enteropathic Arthritis - type of arthritis that develops out of inflammatory bowel disease. Some connection between Enteropathic Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease is attributed to the nerves that go down the spine and often affect bowel movements.

Enteropathic Arthritis Causes

Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract due to inflammatory bowel disease damages the protective lining of the intestines, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the bacterial organisms travel to the joints and cause further inflammation and arthritis, causing joint inflammation and swelling, leading to enteropathic arthritis.

In general, many nerves go down through the spine and some of them deal with digestion. Consistent inflammation of the digestive system can cause back problems as the back joints swell up. The opposite is often true in aging patients who have arthritis and digestive problems, each making the other worse.

Enteropathic Arthritis Symptoms

Enteropathic arthritis either affects joints such as the knees or ankles, with arthritis symptoms worsening during Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's disease flare-ups, or affects lower back pain causing back pain and stiffness with continuing discomfort, regardless of digestion.

Lower back pain and spinal inflammation is less common than involvement of other joints in entereopathic arthritis.

Enteropathic Arthritis Tests and Treatement

Enteropathic Arthritis treatment varies depending on severity of flare-ups. When the disease is most active and joints are inflammed, rest and proper digestion are common treatments. If Enteropathic Arthritis patients do not monitor their symptoms, the arthritis may become chronic and progress.