What is IBD?
The term Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) covers a group of chronic diseases characterised by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the intestines. It is estimated that over 75,000 Australians have an IBD, although the number is likely higher, and it usually first presents in individuals aged 15-30 years, although all ages can be affected.
What causes IBD?
The cause of IBD remains unknown but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental and immunological factors. The current hypothesis is that in genetically predisposed individuals, the immune system fails to 'switch off' it's normal defence mechanism (inflammation) following exposure to an environmental factor – possibly viruses or bacteria for example – and this prolonged inflammation damages the intestinal tract and causes the symptoms of IBD.
Symptoms of IBD
Symptoms of IBD include abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fatigue, and appear in cycles of remission – where the patient has no or very mild symptoms and feels generally well – and relapse – when symptoms flair up once more. There is currently no cure for IBD with current treatments focussed on managing symptoms and extending periods of remission. Symptoms can range in presence and severity between individuals and additional complications affecting joints, eyes, liver, kidney and skin may also arise.
Types of IBD
The two main types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Diagnosis of either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (or another bowel condition) can be delayed as they both present with similar symptoms and cycle through periods of relapse and remission. However there are some key differences between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis:
The term Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) covers a group of chronic diseases characterised by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the intestines. It is estimated that over 75,000 Australians have an IBD, although the number is likely higher, and it usually first presents in individuals aged 15-30 years, although all ages can be affected.
What causes IBD?
The cause of IBD remains unknown but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental and immunological factors. The current hypothesis is that in genetically predisposed individuals, the immune system fails to 'switch off' it's normal defence mechanism (inflammation) following exposure to an environmental factor – possibly viruses or bacteria for example – and this prolonged inflammation damages the intestinal tract and causes the symptoms of IBD.
Symptoms of IBD
Symptoms of IBD include abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fatigue, and appear in cycles of remission – where the patient has no or very mild symptoms and feels generally well – and relapse – when symptoms flair up once more. There is currently no cure for IBD with current treatments focussed on managing symptoms and extending periods of remission. Symptoms can range in presence and severity between individuals and additional complications affecting joints, eyes, liver, kidney and skin may also arise.
Types of IBD
The two main types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Diagnosis of either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (or another bowel condition) can be delayed as they both present with similar symptoms and cycle through periods of relapse and remission. However there are some key differences between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis:
Differences
between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
|
||
Factor
|
Crohn's
disease
|
Ulcerative
colitis
|
Primarily
affected region
|
Ileum (last
part of small intestine) and colon
|
Colon (large
intestine) and rectum
|
Pattern of
inflammation
|
Patchy
|
Continuous
|
Depth of
inflammation
|
Throughout
entire bowel wall
|
Bowel wall
lining only
|
Rectal
bleeding?
|
Uncommon
|
Common
|
Strictures/fissures?
|
Common
|
Uncommon
|
Association
with smoking
|
Strongly
associated with smoking along with worse outcome
|
Associated
with non-smokers or ex-smokers - smoking may protect against
disease
|
Diagnosis and treatment of IBD
Diagnosis usually requires a number of medical investigations including:
Following a diagnosis, treatment of IBD may include a combination of:
Resources
Crohn's and colitis Australia
https://www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au/about-crohns-colitis/
https://www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au/site/wp-content/uploads/PwC-report-2013.pdf
Personal stories of those affected by IBD
https://www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au/about-crohns-colitis/member-stories/
Gastroenterological society of Australia
http://www.gesa.org.au/resources/patients/inflammatory-bowel-disease/
The Gutsy Group
http://www.thegutsygroup.com.au/crohns-colitis/what-are-crohns-colitis/
Diagnosis usually requires a number of medical investigations including:
- Medical history
- Physical examination
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- Examination of stools
- Colonoscopy (direct visualisation of the bowel using a miniature camera attached to a long flexible tube that is inserted inside the anus)
- Biopsy
Following a diagnosis, treatment of IBD may include a combination of:
- Anti-inflammatory agents – to control inflammation, and induce and maintain remission of disease.
- Immunosuppressive agents – to suppress the immune system to control inflammation.
- Antibiotic agents – to prevent and control bacterial infections.
- Nutritional supplementation – to combat nutritional deficiencies.
- Surgery – to solve additional complications.
Resources
Crohn's and colitis Australia
https://www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au/about-crohns-colitis/
https://www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au/site/wp-content/uploads/PwC-report-2013.pdf
Personal stories of those affected by IBD
https://www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au/about-crohns-colitis/member-stories/
Gastroenterological society of Australia
http://www.gesa.org.au/resources/patients/inflammatory-bowel-disease/
The Gutsy Group
http://www.thegutsygroup.com.au/crohns-colitis/what-are-crohns-colitis/
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