Affects: Large intestine12–48 h
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn and ulcerative colitis)
Chronic immune-driven inflammation of the digestive tract, running in flares and periods of remission. It includes Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.
Two diseases, one group
Ulcerative colitis affects only the colon and rectum, continuously and superficially, limited to the lining. Crohn disease can appear anywhere in the digestive tract, from mouth to anus, in patches and involving all layers of the wall, which favours fistulas and strictures.
What happens
The immune system reacts disproportionately to the gut microbiome in genetically predisposed people. Environmental factors contribute, and tobacco has a striking effect: it clearly worsens Crohn disease.
Not only the gut
IBD can also show up in the joints, skin, eyes and liver. That is why follow-up is usually multidisciplinary.
Treatment today
The goal is no longer just symptom relief but healing of the lining and maintaining remission to avoid complications and surgery. Several treatment families exist, including biologics, and the choice depends on the type, extent and severity. Regular follow-up is essential, even when the person feels well.
Living with IBD
With appropriate treatment, most people maintain a full life. Attending to nutrition, iron, vitamin D, bone health and emotional wellbeing is part of the treatment, not an add-on.
When something goes wrong
- IBSA disorder of gut-brain interaction: the bowel works abnormally and is more sensitive, even though there is no visible damage to its structure.
- Chronic constipationInfrequent, hard or difficult-to-pass bowel movements for at least three months, with straining and a sense of not being finished.
- Chronic diarrheaLoose or liquid stools most of the time for more than four weeks. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis: the point is to find the cause.
