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:

• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis

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.