Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Paper

Up to 1 million Americans are thought to have IBD, inflammatory bowel disease. It occurs most often in those ages 15-30, but can affect younger kids and older people. Inflammatory bowel disease (which is not the same as irritable bowel disease syndrome, IBS) refers to a chronic disease that cause inflammation of the intestines. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine, or colon. The mucosa becomes inflamed and develops ulcers. It can cause frequent diarrhea. Crohn's disease differs from ulcerative colitis in the area of the bowel affected. It involves the last part of the small intestine called the terminal ileum. It generally tends to involve the entire bowel wall.

Research isn't conclusive on the causes of inflammatory bowel disease, but experts believe that many factors might be involved, including the environment, diet, and genetics. Current evidence suggests that in people with IBD, a genetic defect affects how the immune system works and how inflammation is triggered in response to an offending agent, like bacteria, a virus, or a protein in food.

If the diarrhea is extreme, it can lead to dehydration, rapid heartbeat, and a drop in blood pressure. And continued loss of small amounts of blood in the stool can lead to anemia. The loss of fluid and nutrients from diarrhea and chronic inflammation of the bowel can also cause fever, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition. IBD in children or teens can cause growth problems or delay puberty due to them not getting enough