What is IBD?

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of disorders responsible for a prolonged inflammation [1] of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The GIT starts from the mouth and goes all the way to the large intestine. Inflammation anywhere along this tract can be disruptive and very painful. It can even lead to death in severe cases.

 

What are the Types of IBD?

IBD is an umbrella term containing a huge number of diseases. The most common of them are:

1. Crohn’s disease: in this disease, any part of the entire digestive tract can be inflamed especially the tail end of the small bowel.
2. Ulcerative colitis: it is characterized by the inflammation of the large intestine only [2].

 

What are its Symptoms?

Symptoms differ from person to person depending upon the severity and the site of inflammation. They are mild to severe in intensity. Inflammation is usually episodic with a period of illness followed by a period of relaxation. Following are some signs and symptoms common to all the diseases which come under this broad term IBD:

• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Blood in stools (bleeding ulcers)
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Anemia

 

 

What Causes IBD?

The exact cause of IBD is unknown yet. However, researches are being conducted to find the cause for better treatment approaches. Following are some causes which are associated with IBD [3] for now:

1. Immune system: when your immune system fights off certain viruses and bacteria to prevent you from getting an infection, an immune malfunction may take place leading to IBD. Immune cells attack the cells of the digestive tract instead of micro-organisms. This is called an autoimmune response.
2. Genetics: IBD runs in families. You are more likely to suffer from IBD if your siblings or parents have this disease. That is why the scientists linked this disease to the genetics.

 

 

What are the Risk Factors for IBD?

Some factors can increase the incidence of IBD [4], they are listed below:

1. Smoking
2. Age
3. Ethnicity
4. Family history
5. Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
6. Gender

 

What are the Treatment Options for IBD?

The main goal of treatment for IBD is reducing the inflammation to lessen the signs and symptoms [5]. Following are the treatment options available for IBD:

• Medications: Drugs that can help in reducing inflammation are given in IBD. Some important medicines used for the treatment of this disease are listed below:

 

1. Anti-inflammatory medicines: corticosteroids and amino salicylates such as mesalamine are prescribed for IBD. The location of the inflammation decides the exact drug which is to be used. These drugs work by reducing inflammation of the GIT.
2. Immunosuppressant drugs: these medicines reduce the immune response which is responsible for releasing the inflammation-causing chemicals.

Apart from these, anti-biotics and other medicines are used to treat the symptoms of IBD.

 

• Surgery: this is the last option if drug therapy and lifestyle changes do not work for you. Surgeries usually involve the removal of a certain part of GIT or closure of fistulas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470312/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4767749/#:~:text=The%20chronic%20inflammatory%20bowel%20diseases,1859%20by%20Walks%5B1%5D.
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5471105/#:~:text=Although%20the%20exact%20mechanism%20of,cell%20lining%20of%20the%20intestine.
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4945988/#:~:text=Environmental%20factors%20such%20as%20smoking,to%20as%20exposomes%5B5%5D.
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7003169/

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