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Conditions InDepth: Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseMain Page | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease | Resource Guide Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to chronic conditions that cause inflammation in the lining and, in some instances, the wall of the intestine. The two primary types of IBD are:
Ulcerative Colitis
—This type causes inflammation and ulcers in the top lining of the colon and rectum.
Ulcerative Colitis © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
Crohn’s Disease
—This type causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining and the wall of any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease usually affects the small intestine, particularly the last section (called the ileum). However, any part of the gastrointestinal tract—from the mouth to the anus—can be affected. The inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease reaches deeper into the layers of the intestinal wall, as opposed to ulcerative colitis, which affects primarily the lining of the intestine.
Crohn's Disease © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. The cause of inflammatory bowel disease is not known. It seems to run in some families. Some researchers think that an infection causes the immune system to overreact and damage the intestines. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America estimates that as many as one million Americans may have inflammatory bowel disease—about half of these people have Crohn’s and the other half have ulcerative colitis. Increased Risk of Colon Cancer About 5% of people with ulcerative colitis eventually develop colon cancer. The risk of cancer increases with the duration and the extent of involvement of the colon. The risk is higher in ulcerative colitis patients with involvement of the entire colon and in patients who have had the disease over 8-10 years. Complications of Crohn’s Disease Possible complications of Crohn’s disease include intestinal obstruction and formation of fistulas. A fistula is an abnormal connection between the intestine and other organs or tissues, such as the bladder, vagina, or skin.
What are the risk factors for inflammatory bowel disease?
References: American Gastroenterological Association website. Available at: http://www.gastro.org/ . Accessed March 6, 2006. Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America website. Available at: http://www.ccfa.org/ . Accessed March 6, 2006. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ . Accessed March 6, 2006. Rakel RE and Bope ET. Conn's Current Therapy 2001 . 53rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company; 2001. Last reviewed September 2009 by Daus Mahnke, MD Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2009 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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