Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Latest News

Jipmer recently launched a support group for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

About Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• It is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that cause swelling and inflammation of the tissues in the digestive tract.
• The most common types of IBD include:
  • Ulcerative colitis. This condition involves inflammation and sores, called ulcers, along the lining of the colon and rectum.
  • Crohn’s disease:
    • In this type of IBD, the lining of the digestive tract is inflamed. 
    • The condition often involves the deeper layers of the digestive tract. 
    • Crohn’s disease most commonly affects the small intestine. 
    • However, it also can affect the large intestine and, uncommonly, the upper gastrointestinal tract.
• Symptoms: Symptoms of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease usually include belly pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, extreme tiredness, and weight loss.
• Causes: The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but IBD is the result of a weakened immune system. Possible causes are:
  • The immune system responds incorrectly to environmental triggers, such as viruses or bacteria, which cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • There also appears to be a genetic component. Someone with a family history of IBD is more likely to develop this inappropriate immune response.
• Treatment:
  • IBD is a chronic or long-term condition, but there are treatments available to ease symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
  • IBD treatment usually involves either medicines or surgery.

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease FAQs

Q1. What does the term “Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)” refer to?

Ans. A group of conditions causing inflammation in the digestive tract.

Q2. What part of the digestive tract does Crohn’s disease most commonly

Ans. Small intestine

Q3. Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) curable?

Ans. IBD is a chronic or long-term condition, but there are treatments available to ease symptoms and prevent flare-ups.

Source: TH