Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), an umbrella term for chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, poses significant challenges to patients and healthcare systems worldwide. 

• It is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body's immune system to attack healthy tissues in the bowel, leading to inflammation.

Types of IBD:

Crohn’s Disease:

• Affects any part of the digestive tract, from mouth to anus.

• Inflammation can be patchy, interspersing healthy tissue with affected areas.

• Often involves the deeper layers of the bowel wall.

Ulcerative Colitis:

• Limited to the inner lining (mucosa) of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

• Inflammation is continuous, affecting the entire colon in severe cases.

• The exact cause of IBD remains unknown.

• Factors include genetics, immune system, and environmental triggers.

Common Symptoms:

• Abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea (often bloody).

• Weight loss and fatigue.

Differentiating IBD and IBS:

IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

• Chronic inflammatory disease influenced by genetic, immune, and environmental factors.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome):

• Non-inflammatory functional bowel disorder.

• Possibly linked to altered gut-brain interactions, heightened gut nerve sensitivity, or digestive muscle contraction issues.