What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

About Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• IBD is a term that describes disorders involving long-standing (chronic) inflammation of tissues in your digestive tract. 
• For some people, IBD is only a mild illness. For others, it's a debilitating condition that can lead to life-threatening complications.
• Types of IBD include:
  • Ulcerative colitis: This condition involves inflammation and sores (ulcers) along the lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum.
  • Crohn's disease. 
• This type of IBD is characterized by inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract, which often involves the deeper layers of the digestive tract.
• Crohn's disease most commonly affects the small intestine. However, it can also affect the large intestine and, uncommonly, the upper gastrointestinal tract.
  • A third category, indeterminate colitis IBD, refers to IBD that has features of both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. 
• 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.
• Symptoms:
  • IBD causes a range of problems in the colon and rectum, but it can also affect other parts of the body. 
  • Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are usually characterized by diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss.
  • People with IBD may experience flare-ups followed by periods with no symptoms.
• Treatment:
  • Although there is no curative treatment for IBD, it’s possible to reduce inflammation and address symptoms with a variety of therapies. 
  • IBD treatments may include medications, surgery, and a range of diet and lifestyle changes that help reduce inflammation and support the immune system.

Q1) What is migraine?

A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be so bad that it interferes with your daily activities.

Source: Migraine linked to increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease in new study