Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Compare the Two Main Types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine. It is a disease that affects the digestive system, where the intestines become inflamed, possibly due to the body's immune response to the tissues in the intestines. There are two main types of inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These two disorders are closely related, however, they have important differences that set them apart.

Crohn's Disease vs. Ulcerative Colitis

Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, primarily affects the digestive system from the mouth to the rectum. It is a lifelong inflammatory bowel disease that usually occurs in the last part of the small intestine and the first part of the large intestine. It can also develop and spread to other parts of the digestive system. These areas become swollen and red, causing sores to form. Additionally, as the sores heal, scar tissue forms, which narrows the intestines further, blocking the passage of waste.

Ulcerative colitis, as the name suggests, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes sores in the lining of the rectum and large intestine (colon). It usually affects only the rectum and can extend to the entire colon. It may be similar to Crohn's disease in that the walls of the intestine and rectum are thickened. With the formation of scar tissue in the case of repeated inflammation and swelling of the intestines.

Reasons
There is currently no clear and known cause for either condition. Many experts believe that these conditions may be caused by an overreaction of the immune system to normal bacteria in the digestive system, a problem with food, or the discovery of other bacteria that are foreign. The job of the immune system is to attack foreign substances in the body. If these substances are in the digestive system, the attack leads to a buildup of white blood cells in the lining of the affected area, causing chronic inflammation and potentially leading to intestinal obstruction.

Who is at risk for both infections?
Both conditions can occur in people of all ages, but Crohn's disease is most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30, while ulcerative colitis is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 15 and 35. People who are Jewish (especially Ashkenazi Jews) are at increased risk for these conditions, as are African Americans, especially since both conditions tend to run in families. About 20 percent of those who are infected have a relative with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of ulcerative colitis depend on the extent of the disease and the severity of the inflammation. Common symptoms include:

Abdominal pain and cramps This usually goes away after a bowel movement.

Mild to severe diarrhea throughout the day (may have blood and mucus in the stool).

Note: The hallmark signs of ulcerative colitis are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.

Gastro-arrhythmias (snoring sounds heard in the intestines)
Fever
Gastrointestinal tract pain (pain in the rectum)
Rectal bleeding
Weight loss
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Joint pain
Nausea and vomiting
Although Crohn's disease symptoms are episodic, meaning that inflammation occurs without warning and disappears over time, it is not possible to predict when the condition will recur or how long it will last. Most people feel healthy without the disease.

The signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease include:

Abdominal pain, usually in the lower right rib cage

Persistent diarrhea that may have mucus or blood

Gas
Loss of appetite

Weight loss
Nausea
Fatigue
Malaboration
Mouth and rectal ulcers
Headache
Low-grade fever
Anemia

Diagnosis
There is no definitive diagnosis for these conditions. Diagnosing Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can be difficult because the symptoms are nearly identical to other gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, a detailed physical examination, medical history, and laboratory test results are required. In addition to colonoscopy to determine if you have Crohn's or ulcerative colitis and to rule out other digestive diseases,

Tests include:

Complete blood count, which can help determine if you are losing blood during bowel movements or have anemia (an abnormally low red blood cell count).

Upper gastrointestinal series, which is an X-ray of the small intestine after administration of barium, a solution that helps illuminate abnormalities in the small intestine.

Sigmoidoscopy or Colonoscopy: These tests allow the doctor to view the lining of the intestine using a probe that sends images to a computer screen.

Computed tomography scan of the abdomen

Magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen

Treatment

Diet and nutrition

No specific diet has been proven to improve ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. However, eating a diet that contains the right amount of calories, vitamins, and protein is important to avoid malnutrition and to lose weight. Some of the recommended foods to eat during an attack of symptoms include:

Eat small amounts of food throughout the day.

Drink plenty of water (often in small amounts throughout the day).

Avoid foods high in fiber (wheat bran, beans, nuts, seeds, etc.).