Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease refers to two bowel conditions: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both conditions share similarities and differences.

Ulcerative colitis is a condition that results in an infected colon. It begins at the anus. Crohn's disease, on the other hand, involved inflammation in different areas of the throughout the GI tract. It, however, affects the last part of the small intestine, which is known as the terminal ileum.

There are a few questions about inflammatory bowel disease.

How common are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease has been more prevalent in Canada. This condition occurs across different races and geographies, but the reasons are not quite known yet. According to a survey, one in every 350 Canadians suffers from inflammatory bowel disease.

Are these conditions infectious?

The cause of IBD is not yet known, but physicians generally suggest antibiotics for the treatment of this condition. But the fact of the matter is that researchers have not been able to find whether this condition occurs due to bacteria, viruses, fungus, or parasites. Medical experts, however, believe that it is not possible to catch or give Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Are these diseases inherited?

Currently, available information suggests that IBD doesn’t fit in the classic definition of a hereditary disease. So, it is hard to tell whether or not a child of an infected parent will develop this condition. Some reports, however, suggest that individuals who have a family member with IBD are 20% more likely to develop this condition. You are 30% more likely to develop IBD if one of your siblings has this condition.

Can this disease occur in children?

IBD is more prevalent in individuals aging between 15 and 25, but a survey suggests that it can also occur at a younger age. Unfortunately, the occurrence of this disease at a younger age can result in quite alarming consequences, as that patient may get delayed growth. It typically happens when the time of occurrence of the disease is before puberty. It could mean more surgeries in the later stages of life.

Are there any known causes of this disease?

The exact reasons for this disease are unknown at present. Some pieces of evidence, however, suggest that this condition may occur as a result of the body’s defense mechanism working against some digestive tract’s materials, which it considers foreign. It is not yet known what action of the immune system initiates IBD. Although it starts as an immune system’s response, it becomes a disease upon getting worse.

Is this an autoimmune disease?

An autoimmune disorder refers to the condition in which the body’s defense mechanism starts attacking its own tissues. A few symptoms suggest that both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are autoimmune diseases. These symptoms include the following.

• These affect people of young ages.
• They bring pathological changes in intestinal tissues.
• They can result in complications related to skin, eyes, or joints.
• They result in abnormalities that are identifiable through blood tests.

These were some of the many questions that people ask about IBD. If you are confused and you want to know more about it, you may speak to your gastroenterologist.