Inflammatory bowel disease (inflammatory bowel disease – IBD) are a group of chronic inflammatory in nature, involving electively the large intestine (ulcerative colitis) or any part of the digestive tract, from mouth to anus (Crohn’s disease).There are several types of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ischemic colitis, and the lymphocytic, but Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis represent by far the most common diseases. The etiology of these diseases, that is the root cause remains undiagnosed, while the evolution of the same (pathogenesis) is considered an autoimmune, possibly supported by a genetic predisposition, the immune system tends to “go crazy” – often an early age – hurling their cells so excessive and inadequate against those of the digestive tract, most commonly the bowel. In response to quest’accumulo of immune cells in the walls of the digestive tract, chronic inflammation occurs that disrupts the normal anatomy and disturbs the function.

Symptoms and diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease

Although the adjective chronic manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease are not uniform but typically marked by periods of remission and relapse. The most common symptoms that accompany them are: abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, blood in stool, abundant presence of mucus in the droppings, frequent urge to evacuate with a sense of incomplete emptying bowel (tenesmus) and weight loss. The changes also important in many cases alvus create adjustment problems and end up influencing social relations and work. However, all these symptoms are not exclusive of inflammatory bowel disease, but common to several conditions – not necessarily morbid – that affect the intestine (spastic colitis, colitis, stress, alterations in microbial flora, etc.).

What distinguishes the chronic inflammatory bowel disease symptoms are not so in itself, but the structural and biochemical changes that lie ahead whether more or less extensive digestive system, particularly of the intestine. Not surprisingly, the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease may in general regardless of the colonoscopy, during which you perform a biopsy of the mucosa for subsequent histological examination, previously supported by clinical trials (research of inflammatory markers in the blood, such as ESR and CRP, which remain non-specific and poorly sensitive). Other diagnostic instruments, such as MRI or barium in the small intestine, may be required, such as when the Crohn’s disease causes lesions of the digestive system can not be reached endoscopically.

Another distinguishing feature of inflammatory bowel disease and those without inflammatory component is frequently found in the first, the character also extraintestinal manifestations, especially in the skin (erythema nodosum and granulomatous dermatitis), liver (primary sclerosing cholangitis) , joints (arthritis, ankylosing anchiolosante) and eyes.
Care and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

There is currently no standardized treatment protocol and universally effective in the acute phases are usually the most powerful anti-inflammatory drugs used in the existing therapy, corticosteroids, but they must be taken only for short periods of time. In the early stages of remission, as an alternative or in combination with them, can also be used salicylates, immunosuppressants or anti-TNF alpha (a molecule produced by immune cells). In more severe cases may need surgery, sometimes with curative therapeutic effect.

To learn more, consult the articles devoted to inflammatory bowel disease: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.