What it is

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. The most common forms of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, causing swelling that extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. It most often affects the lower part of the small intestine. Ulcerative colitis affects the colon or rectum, where sores called ulcers form on the top layer of the intestinal lining.

Symptoms

Most people with IBD have abdominal pain and diarrhea, which may be bloody.
Other people have rectal bleeding, fever, or weight loss. IBD can also cause problems in other parts of the body. Some people develop swelling in the eye, arthritis, liver disease, skin rashes, or kidney stones. In people with Crohn's disease, swelling and scar tissue can thicken the wall of the intestine and create a blockage. Ulcers can tunnel through the wall into nearby organs such as the bladder or vagina. The tunnels, called fistulas, can become infected and may need surgery.

Causes

No one knows for sure what causes IBD, but researchers think it may be an ab-normal immune response to bacteria that live in the intestines. Heredity may play a role, because it tends to run in families. IBD is more common among people of Jewish heritage. Stress or diet alone does not cause IBD, but both can trigger symptoms. IBD occurs most often during the reproductive years.