Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, is a relapsing and remitting condition characterized by chronic inflammation at various sites in the gastrointestinal tract, which results in diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
The precise aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease unknown, but evidence suggests that the normal intestinal flora trigger an abnormal immune reaction in patients with a multifactorial genetic predisposition. No specific environmental, dietary, or infectious causes have been identified.
The precise aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease unknown, but evidence suggests that the normal intestinal flora trigger an abnormal immune reaction in patients with a multifactorial genetic predisposition. No specific environmental, dietary, or infectious causes have been identified.
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory and ulcerative disease arising in the colonic mucosa, characterized most often by bloody diarrhoea. Extra intestinal symptoms, particularly arthritis, may occur. Long-term risk of colon cancer is elevated compared to unaffected people. Diagnosis is by colonoscopy. Treatment is pharmaceutical and occasionally surgery.
Crohn disease
Crohn disease is a chronic transmural inflammatory bowel disease that usually affects the distal ileum and colon but may occur in any part of the GI tract. Symptoms include diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Abscesses, internal and external fistulas, and bowel obstruction may arise. Extra intestinal symptoms, particularly arthritis, may occur. Diagnosis is by colonoscopy and imaging studies. Treatment is pharmaceutical, and often surgery.
