Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) a medical term used to describe a group of diseases that cause chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.
Our digestive tract is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients and removing waste products from the body. If any part of the digestive tract gets inflamed, it can disrupt the normal flow of digestion and cause painful symptoms.
The main two types of IBD include:
Inflammatory bowel disease affects both men and women, most commonly between the ages of 20 and 40 years. However, in recent years its incidence has increased in children under 18 years of age.
Symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease
The symptoms vary depending on the severity of the disease and which part of the digestive tract is affected.
Crohn's disease
This can be quite aggressive in its symptoms, which are usually:
- abdominal pain and cramping
- fever
- bloated belly
- diarrhoea, with blood or pus
- fatigue
- reduced appetite
- weight loss
- mouth sores
- fistulas
- bleeding ulcers
- perianal involvement
Ulcerative Colitis
While it presents symptoms similar to Crohn's disease, they are more often milder. It is not that common for the belly to swell and fistulas and ulcers don't usually appear. Symptoms include:
- abdominal pain
- bloated belly
- diarrhoea, with blood or pus
- rectal pain and bleeding
- weight loss
- fatigue
- inability to defecate
Patients with ulcerative colitis will typically experience more intense rectal bleeding or blood loss through the anus.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which although causes similar symptoms, is very different. IBS is a disorder of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, while IBD is inflammation or destruction of the intestines. It is possible to have both IBD and IBS.
Causes of inflammatory bowel disease
The cause of inflammatory bowel disease is unknown, although it is believed that genetics and problems with the immune system play a role. Approximately 20% of those affected by this disease have a direct family member who also suffers from it.
Prevention of inflammatory bowel disease
Since the cause of inflammatory bowel disease is not clear, there are no proven preventive measures to take. Early diagnosis is a good way to slow down symptoms and its progression.
Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is chronic, so there currently isn’t a cure. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease should visit a gastroenterologist or specialist periodically to monitor the disease and receive appropriate treatment to control the symptoms.


How inflammatory bowel disease affects the body
By Professor Stuart Bloom
2022-05-28
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to two chronic (long-term) digestive system conditions that can make like difficult for the patient: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. But can these conditions have an effect on the body outside the gut? Dr Stuart Bloom explains how these diseases affect the body. See more


How serious is IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)?
By Professor Stuart Bloom
2022-05-28
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be highly unpleasant and in some cases debilitating, taking its toll on the patient’s quality of life. But can it be life-threatening? Or can it be cured? Leading London gastroenterologist Dr Stuart Bloom provided the answers in an interview with Top Doctors. See more


What is a J-pouch?
By Mr Giovanni D. Tebala
2022-05-28
There are certain unpleasant conditions that mean the large intestine (colon) has to be removed. In this case, your surgeon may offer J-pouch surgery. What is this procedure? Expert colorectal surgeon Mr Giovanni Tebala has the answers. See more


IBD and the importance of nutrition
By Dr Shameer Mehta
2022-05-27
How important is nutrition in managing irritable bowel disease (IBD), and what exactly should you be eating? We spoke with Dr Shameer Mehta , a highly-skilled consultant gastroenterologist based in London... See more
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