Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Pronunciation: /ɪnˈflæmətɔːriː baʊl dɪˈziːz/), often abbreviated as IBD, is a term that describes conditions characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Etymology

The term "Inflammatory Bowel Disease" is derived from the words "inflammatory", referring to the body's immune response, "bowel", referring to the part of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus, and "disease", a particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism.

Types

There are two main types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease:

• Crohn's disease - This type of IBD can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus.
• Ulcerative colitis - This type of IBD primarily affects the colon and the rectum.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of IBD include:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Anemia

Causes

The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but it is believed to result from an abnormal immune response to the microbes in the intestines. Genetic factors and environmental triggers may also play a role.

Treatment

Treatment for IBD typically involves medication to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

See also

• Gastroenterology
• Autoimmune disease
• Immune system

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Wikipedia's article - Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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