Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic, recurrent condition characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease can affect any segment of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus, often involving transmural inflammation and skip lesions, while ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum, with continuous mucosal inflammation. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea (often with blood or mucus), weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, and nausea, resulting from chronic inflammation and impaired nutrient absorption. The exact cause remains unknown, but IBD is believed to arise from an abnormal immune response to intestinal microbiota in genetically susceptible individuals. Although there is no cure, treatment aims to control symptoms and induce remission through medications such as aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologics, alongside lifestyle modifications including dietary changes and stress management. Early diagnosis and ongoing management are critical to preventing complications and improving quality of life, as IBD is a lifelong condition with variable clinical course and symptom patterns among individuals.