Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Key Points

Overview

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of long-term conditions that cause inflammation in your digestive tract, leading to symptoms like severe tummy pain and diarrhoea. The two main types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It's important to know that IBD is distinct from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), even though some symptoms can be similar. The exact cause of IBD is not fully understood, but it occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your bowel, leading to chronic inflammation. While the precise triggers are unclear, genetic factors play a role, as IBD can run in families. Treatment for IBD focuses on managing symptoms and reducing inflammation. This may involve various medications to control the disease, and in severe cases, surgery might be needed to remove affected parts of the bowel.

Signs and Symptoms

• Diarrhoea lasting over 4 weeks
• Tummy pain
• Blood or mucus in poo
• Bleeding from your bottom
• Feeling tired all the time
• Losing weight without trying

Things That Increase the Risk

• Family history of IBD
• Genetic predisposition
• Immune system dysfunction (attacks bowel)
• Unidentified environmental triggers

Diagnosis

• Symptom evaluation by a doctor
• Physical examination
• Blood tests for inflammation markers
• Stool analysis

Treatment & Management

• Medicines to ease symptoms (e.g., steroids)
• Medicines to keep symptoms under control long-term
• Surgery to remove part of the bowel (for severe cases)
• Hospital treatment for very unwell patients

Prevention

• Early detection of symptoms
• Consistent medical monitoring
• Adherence to prescribed treatments
• Managing disease flare-ups

Related Diseases

• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Colitis

Available Treatments

Explore our range of treatment options for Inflammatory Bowel Disease:

Surgical Options

Learn about surgical procedures available for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: