Research has recently revealed potential treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) conditions, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These visions imply the utility of wearable devices and the Apple watch to predict future IBD flare-ups. Likewise, those scholars have indicated that high concentration Oxygen treatment supplied in closed chambers may help alleviate Crohn's disease flare and recurrence.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD refers to a spectrum of immune-mediated inflammatory condition that primarily affects human intestines.
Even though IBD is a bowel disorder, as its name implies, it has systemic manifestations. The nonintestinal disorders associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease include inflammatory conditions of the eye (Episcleritis, Uveitis), skin (Erythema Nodosum, Epyema Gangrinosum), Spine (Ankylosing Spondylitis), and so much more.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, including Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis, are both relapsing and remitting conditions with unpredictable patterns. However, the latter have different signs and symptoms, affecting predominantly diverse locations in the human intestines. Yet still, in the early stages, it may be hard to differentiate the two IBD conditions, thus referred to as Unclassified.
The affected person with Inflammatory Bowel Disease is typically a person of northern European heritage, with 2 to 4 times more prevalent among Ashkenazi Jews.
Interestingly, women seem more prone to Crohn, whereas Ulcerative Colitis predominantly affects men. There doesn't seem to be a particular age distribution for those with IBD. Nevertheless, it often starts before the patient's 30th birthday. And those who are affected also have smoked most of their lives.
Unfortunately, today, there is no cure for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Almost all currently available treatments for IBD are supportive and designed to alleviate inflammation, symptoms, disease progress, and complications.
The existing treatments include immunomodulating drugs (like Methotrexate), Biologic agents (like Infliximab), Anti-inflammatory agents (like Steroids and Salicylates), and newer products like Small-molecule agents. Occasionally IBD may require antibiotics therapy as well.
The available treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease are not without potential side effects. Furthermore, the flare-up episodes of IBD can be debilitating. These signs include Persistent diarrhea, Abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and even bloody stool.
That is why practical tools like Apple health and other wearable devices help predict IBD attacks and reducing recurrence is fundamental.
Digital health technologies reduce healthcare utilization and costs and reduce the risk of relapse among patients with IBD. Furthermore, it improves patients' compliance with treatment and quality of life by efficiently offering access to the relevant data.
Recent Healthcare Technology Advances Show Promising Results
Recent advances in Telehealth and remote patient monitoring technologies have proved valuable in monitoring IBD patients.
Physicians can better monitor the signs and symptoms of patients using digital health technologies and wearable devices. They do so through precise, consistent data collection and disease activity forecast.
Wearable devices can also offer essential data about patient health, thus helping manage inflammatory bowel disease.
Studies suggest patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel disease may benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. (HBOT)
Based on observational studies published by Euro J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 83.24% of patients with Ulcerative Colitis and 81.89% of those with Crohn's disease responded to HBOT.
A similar study by Medical Gas Research suggests; even though the HBOT is never a magic bullet, it is safer than most existing treatment options. The HBOT is potentially effective in treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease, at least if used as a supplement to the conventional treatment options.
References
- Rowan, Catherine, and Robert Hirten. "The future of telemedicine and wearable technology in IBD." Current opinion in gastroenterology vol. 38,4 (2022): 373–381. doi:10.1097/MOG.0000000000000845
- Hirten, Robert P et al. "Wearable Devices Are Well Accepted by Patients in the Study and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Survey Study." Digestive diseases and sciences vol. 66,6 (2021): 1836–1844. doi:10.1007/s10620–020–06493-y
- Singh, Anupam Kumar, et al. "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis." European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology vol. 33,1S Suppl 1 (2021): e564-e573. doi:10.1097/MEG.0000000000002164
- Wu, Xin et al. "The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: a narrative review." Medical gas research vol. 11,2 (2021): 66–71. doi:10.4103/2045–9912.311497
- Nguyen, Nghia H et al. "Digital Health Technologies for Remote Monitoring and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review." The American journal of gastroenterology vol. 117,1 (2022): 78–97. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001545
- IBD: How Oxygen Chambers, Apple Watches May Improve Treatment n\t [WWW Document], n.d. . IBD: How Oxygen Chambers, Apple Watches May Improve Treatment. URL https://www.healthline.com/health-news/inflammatory-bowel-disease-how-oxygen-chambers-apple-watches-may-improve-treatment (accessed 1.24.23).
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