The two main types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The sections below will discuss these in more detail.

The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but IBD is the result of a defective immune system. A properly functioning immune system attacks foreign organisms, such as viruses and bacteria, to protect the body. In IBD, the immune system responds incorrectly to environmental triggers, which causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. There also appears to be a genetic component—someone with a family history of IBD is more likely to develop this inappropriate immune response.

IBD is diagnosed using a combination of endoscopy (for Crohn’s disease) or colonoscopy (for ulcerative colitis) and imaging studies, such as contrast radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT). Physicians may also check stool samples to make sure symptoms are not being caused by an infection or run blood tests to help confirm the diagnosis.

Several types of medications may be used to treat IBD: aminosalicylates, corticosteroids (such as prednisone), immunomodulators, and the newest class approved for IBD—the “biologics”. Several vaccinations for patients with IBD are recommended to prevent infections. Severe IBD may require surgery to remove damaged portions of the gastrointestinal tract, but advances in treatment with medications mean that surgery is less common than it was a few decades ago. Since Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis affect different parts of the GI tract, the surgical procedures are different for the two conditions.

As with other chronic diseases, a person with IBD will generally go through periods in which the disease flares up and causes symptoms, followed by periods in which symptoms decrease or disappear and good health returns. Symptoms range from mild to severe and generally depend upon what part of the intestinal tract is involved.

Millions of people suffer from IBS or IBD. If you think you may have IBS or IBD, see a gastroenterologist about your symptoms. Relief is available.

As with UC microscopic colitis affects the colon (large intestine) and rectum. However, the inflammation is not as visible as UC and the bowel lining appears normal. When a biopsy is taken inflammation can be seen under a microscope - hence it’s name. Symptoms vary from the typical symptoms of UC and often result in chronic watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain or discomfort, incontinence, weight loss, fatigue, bloating and wind.

In ulcerative colitis the inflammation is found in the colon (large intestine) and the rectum. Small ulcers can develop on the colon’s lining which produce pus and mucus. This can cause abdominal discomfort and frequent emptying of the colon. The type of UC you are diagnosed with depends on where the inflammation is found. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person but typical symptoms include diarrhoea (often with blood, mucus and pus), abdomen cramps, fatigue, anaemia, loss of appetite and weight loss.

As with UC microscopic colitis affects the colon (large intestine) and rectum. However, the inflammation is not as visible as UC and the bowel lining appears normal. When a biopsy is taken inflammation can be seen under a microscope - hence it’s name. Symptoms vary from the typical symptoms of UC and often result in chronic watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain or discomfort, incontinence, weight loss, fatigue, bloating and wind.

IBD tends to run in families. But not everyone with IBD has a family history of the disease. Inflammatory bowel disease can happen at any age, but is usually diagnosed in teens and young adults.

Inflammatory bowel disease is diagnosed with a combination of blood tests, stool (poop) tests, and X-rays. Medical imaging tests, such as CT scans and MRI, might be done too. The doctor will examine a stool sample for the presence of blood, and might look at the colon with an instrument called an endoscope, a long, thin tube attached to a TV monitor. In this procedure, called a colonoscopy, the tube is inserted through the anus to allow the doctor to see inflammation, bleeding, or ulcers on the wall of the colon. During the procedure, the doctor might do a biopsy, taking small samples that can be sent for further testing.