WHAT IS IBD?
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term used to describe disorders that involve chronic inflammation of your digestive tract. Types of IBD include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease:
Ulcerative colitis. Inflammation and sores (ulcers) along the superficial lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum.
Crohn's disease. An inflammation of the lining (may also involve the deeper layers) of your digestive tract.
Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease usually are characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fatigue and weight loss.
Symptoms
Inflammatory bowel disease symptoms vary, depending on the severity of inflammation and where it occurs. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Signs and symptoms that are common to both Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis include:
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Blood in your stool
• Reduced appetite • Unintended weight loss
It is possible to have periods of active illness followed by periods of remission.
