Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) ; Definition, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):


Definition:


IBD is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily affecting the colon and small intestine.


Types:


1. Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
2. Crohn's Disease (CD)
3. Indeterminate Colitis (IC)
4. Collagenous Colitis
5. Lymphocytic Colitis


Causes:


1. Genetic predisposition
2. Environmental factors
3. Abnormal immune response
4. Imbalance of gut microbiota


Symptoms:


UC:


1. Diarrhea
2. Rectal bleeding
3. Abdominal pain
4. Weight loss
5. Fatigue


CD:


1. Diarrhea
2. Abdominal pain
3. Weight loss
4. Fatigue
5. Nausea and vomiting


Complications:


1. Colon cancer
2. Narrowing of the colon (stricture)
3. Perforation
4. Toxic megacolon
5. Osteoporosis
6. Arthritis
7. Eye problems


Diagnosis:


1. Medical history
2. Physical examination
3. Laboratory tests:
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Electrolyte panel
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Inflammatory markers (e.g., CRP, ESR)
4. Endoscopy:
Colonoscopy
Biopsy
5. Imaging studies:
X-rays
CT scans
MRI


Treatment:


Medications:


1. Aminosalicylates (e.g., mesalamine)
2. Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone)
3. Immunomodulators (e.g., azathioprine)
4. Biologics (e.g., infliximab)
5. JAK inhibitors


Lifestyle Modifications:


1. Diet: avoid trigger foods
2. Stress management
3. Exercise
4. Quit smoking


Surgery:


1. Colectomy
2. J-pouch surgery
3. Ostomy

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