Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
(IBD) is a general term used to describe chronic diseases
that cause swelling and inflammation of the walls of
the digestive tract. The two types of IBD are Crohn's
Disease (Crohn's), and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Most
patients who suffer from either form of IBD have alternating
periods of relative health alternating with periods
of disease, though some patients have continuous symptoms
from continued inflammation. Symptoms include diarrhea
with or without blood, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
The severity of the disease varies between individuals.
Some suffer only mild symptoms, which are little more
than a nuisance, while others have severe and disabling
symptoms which are a serious threat to their health.
Medical science has not yet discovered a cure, but numerous
medications are now available to control symptoms with
many more on the horizon.
• www.ccfa.org/info/?LMI=3
- Colitis foundation
• www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/index.htm
- Crohn’s Disease
• www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/index.htm
- Ulcerative Colitis
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