Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease encompasses conditions that cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Chronic irritation can result in damage to the GI tract. These conditions include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Crohn's disease can affect any section of the GI tract between the mouth and anus. It is most commonly found in the small intestine near the beginning of the large intestine. The damage to the GI tract can be patchy and interspersed with healthy tissues. Inflammation can affect multiple layers of the GI tract.
Ulcerative colitis presents in the large intestine and the rectum, with areas of damage usually starting at the rectum and spreading in a continuous manner into the colon. The innermost layer of the lining of the colon is affected by the inflammation.
Symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases include:
- Abdominal discomfort
- Recurring diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Unintended weight loss
- Rectal bleeding or blood in stools