Inflammatory bowel disease (patient information): Difference between revisions
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* [[Ischaemic colitis]] | * [[Ischaemic colitis]] | ||
* [[Diversion colitis]] | * [[Diversion colitis]] | ||
* [[Behçet's syndrome | * [[Behçet's syndrome]] | ||
* [[Infective colitis]] | * [[Infective colitis]] | ||
* [[Indeterminate colitis]] | * [[Indeterminate colitis]] |
Revision as of 18:33, 22 July 2009
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What is Inflammatory bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory conditions of the large intestine and, in some cases, the small intestine.
The main forms of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC).
Accounting for far fewer cases are other forms of IBD:
- Collagenous colitis
- Lymphocytic colitis
- Ischaemic colitis
- Diversion colitis
- Behçet's syndrome
- Infective colitis
- Indeterminate colitis
The main difference between Crohn's disease and UC is the location and nature of the inflammatory changes. Crohn's can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from mouth to anus (skip lesions), although a majority of the cases start in the terminal ileum. Ulcerative colitis, in contrast, is restricted to the colon and the anus. [1]
Microscopically, ulcerative colitis is restricted to the mucosa (epithelial lining of the gut), while Crohn's disease affects the whole bowel wall.
Finally, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis present with extra-intestinal manifestations (such as liver problems, arthritis, skin manifestations and eye problems) in different proportions.
In rare cases, patients have been diagnosed with both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which is really called Crohn's colitis.
What are the symptoms of Inflammatory bowel disease?
What are the causes of Inflammatory bowel disease?
Who is at risk for Inflammatory bowel disease?
How to know you have Inflammatory bowel disease?
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Inflammatory bowel disease
Directions to Hospitals Treating Inflammatory bowel disease