What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

DIGESTIVE TRACT

Inflammation is one of the body’s ways of fighting pathogens, but sometimes it can run amok, causing chronic inflammatory diseases. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the umbrella term for conditions that involve chronic swelling in the digestive tract. The two main types are ulcerative colitis, which is inflammation of the lining of the colon and rectum; and Crohn’s disease, which is when swollen patches occur in the tissue that lines any part of the digestive tract. Both conditions can cause abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhoea, bloody stools, fatigue and weight loss.

TREATMENT

A lifelong disease, IBD usually starts in early adulthood. Symptoms can come and go in the form of flares and remission. Antiinflammatory medications can ease symptoms. For Crohn’s, surgically removing or bypassing the damaged areas can provide long-term relief, but the disease may return to attack unaffected tissue. For colitis, the most common procedure is replacing the colon and rectum with synthetic substitutes, usually a permanent cure.

WHAT CAUSES IBD?

The causes of IBD are unknown. Although there is evidence of genetic risk factors, most sufferers don’t have a family history. Insufficient exposure to microbes that regulate a healthy gut has been hypothesised, and might explain why IBD is more prevalent in cities than in the less sterile countryside. Other possible causes are artificial sweeteners (which can inhibit gut bacteria) and excessive antibiotic use.