Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Understanding the 2 Types |
Posted: May 30, 2019 |
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a group of conditions that causes digestive organs, usually the small and large intestines, to become inflamed. As a result, the body experiences difficulties in absorbing all the nutrients it needs, which can translate to malnutrition or other issues such as anemia. There are two major types of IBD: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Below is a brief overview of each. Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis mainly affects the large intestine. People with this type of IBD will experience an inflamed colon that will start to develop small, open sores containing a lot of pus. It's a debilitating sickness that can lead to further complications or sometimes even death if left untreated. It results from immune system malfunction where food, good bacteria, and even parts of the small intestine are viewed as foreign objects. Because of this, white blood cells attack the digestive tract and cause the intestine's lining to inflame and develop sores. Before this phenomenon was confirmed as the cause, doctors used to think that poor diet and stress caused it. But through IBD CE or continuing education, medical practitioners were able to verify that high stress levels and diet imbalance aren't the causes. They can, however, worsen it. Crohn's DiseaseUnlike ulcerative colitis, which only affects the colon, Crohn's disease can affect different areas of the digestive tract. The most frequent targets are the small intestine and the colon. It's chronic and can’t be treated instantly. And just like ulcerative colitis, it’s the result of an immune system malfunction. When it comes to this illness, the inflammation of the digestive tract is often patchy, which means some parts are normal, and some parts are unhealthy. The patches are small, usually a couple of centimeters in length. While ulcerative colitis only affects the lining of the intestine, Crohn's disease can spread and damage the entire organ. SymptomsAlthough both conditions are different in nature and have different effects, a person who has either can experience similar symptoms. According to medical experts taking IBD CME or continuing medical education, the indicators may vary depending on each situation and may range from mild to severe. Individuals who have IBD may also have periods of active illness and periods of remission. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis both present with:
IBD is a serious illness that, when left untreated, can lead to life-threatening complications. That's why the work of medical researchers in IBD CME is paramount to developing new treatments.
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