INFORMATION ON INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

The digestive system is a set of organs that convert the foods we eat into nutrients and absorb these nutrients into the bloodstream to fuel our bodies. Inflammatory bowel disease is the name of a group of disorders that cause the intestines to become inflamed. The inflammation lasts a long time and usually comes back over and over again. There are two types of inflammatory bowel disease are 1 Crohn's disease and 2 ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease usually causes ulcers along the length of the small and large intestines. Crohn's disease either spares the rectum, or causes inflammation or infection with drainage around the rectum. Ulcerative colitis usually causes ulcers in the lower part of the large intestine, often starting at the rectum.

SYNONYMS OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Synonyms and related keywords:
1. Crohn disease.
2. Ulcerative colitis.
3. Regional enteritis.
4. Terminal ileitis.
5. Granulomatous ileocolitis.
6. Chronic inflammatory diseases.
7. Gastrointestinal tract.

CAUSES OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

A genetic defect that affects how our immune system works and how the inflammation is turned on and off in those people with inflammatory bowel disease, in response to an offending agent, like bacteria, a virus, or a protein in food. Medical evidence also indicates that smoking may enhance the likelihood of developing Crohn's disease.

SYMPTOMS OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

The two most common symptoms are diarrhea and crampy abdominal pain. Inflammation causes these symptoms. An inflamed bowel doesn't allow as much water to be absorbed into the blood. This makes the colon empty often in the form of diarrhea.

Other symptoms are:
1 Diarrhea That Occurs Again And Again, With Or Without Blood In The Bowel Movements.
2 Rectal Bleeding (Blood Coming Out Of Your Rear End).
3 Large Weight Loss over a Short Period of Time fatigue.
4 Abdominal Pain And Crampiness That Occurs Again And Again delayed Growth and    development.

DIAGNOSIS OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Doctors collect information such as the details and duration of symptoms, whether there is a family history of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and cigarette smoking history. Blood tests can help detect changes such as low red blood cell counts (anemia), high white blood cell counts (indicate inflammation or infection), and low nutrient levels. Stool samples are sometimes checked to rule out intestinal infections, which can lead to similar symptoms as those of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease is highly individualized. Physicians tailor treatment for each patient depending on the type and severity of the symptoms. Treatment options for Inflammatory Bowel Disease include dietary changes, medications and sometimes surgery. Counseling can also help combat the emotional distress of having a chronic illness. The goal of medical treatment is to suppress the abnormal inflammatory response. This allows the intestinal tissue to heal, thereby relieving the symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal pain. Once the symptoms are under control, medical treatment is used to decrease the frequency of flare-ups and to maintain remission.