Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

What Is IBD?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to conditions that cause inflammation in the digestive tract.

People with IBD often experience symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, bleeding from the rectum, fatigue, and weight loss.

The two main types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Each affects different parts of the digestive system.

Ulcerative Colitis

  • Affects the colon and rectum
  • Creates inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining
  • Symptoms typically appear in the lower digestive tract

Crohn’s Disease

  • Can affect any part of the digestive tract
  • Often impacts the small intestine
  • Inflammation can reach deeper into tissue layers
  • Sometimes affects the upper digestive system

IBD affects each person differently.

Some people have mild symptoms that cause little disruption to daily life. Others experience severe symptoms that can lead to serious complications and affect quality of life.

Signs and Symptoms

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) creates different symptoms based on where inflammation happens in your digestive tract and how severe it is.

Most people with IBD go through cycles of active disease followed by periods when symptoms go away.

Common symptoms of both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis include:

  • Loose, watery stools
  • Stomach discomfort and cramping
  • Bloody stool
  • Reduced hunger
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Extreme fatigue

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Visit your doctor if you notice ongoing changes in your bowel habits or if you experience any IBD symptoms.

While inflammatory bowel disease isn’t usually deadly, it’s a serious condition that can sometimes lead to dangerous complications in certain people.

Causes

The exact trigger of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unclear to medical experts.

While diet and stress were once thought to be primary causes, research now shows these factors may worsen symptoms but don’t actually cause the disease. Several key factors likely contribute to IBD development.

Immune System Malfunction

When your immune system works properly, it protects against harmful invaders. In IBD, something goes wrong with this process. The immune system responds abnormally and mistakenly attacks the cells in your digestive tract, causing inflammation and damage.

Genetic Factors

Scientists have identified several genetic markers linked to IBD. The disease appears to run in families, with higher rates among people who have relatives with the condition. However, most IBD patients don’t have a family history of the disease.

Environmental Triggers

Various environmental factors may influence IBD development, particularly those affecting gut bacteria balance:

  • Growing up in highly sanitized environments with limited germ exposure
  • Experiencing gut infections during early childhood
  • Taking antibiotics during infancy
  • Being primarily bottle-fed rather than breastfed

These factors may disrupt the normal development of the gut microbiome, potentially contributing to IBD risk later in life.

Risk Factors

Several factors may increase your chance of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD):

Age at Diagnosis

  • Most diagnoses occur before age 30
  • Some people develop IBD in their 50s or 60s

Genetic Background

  • White individuals have higher rates of IBD
  • Increasing occurrence in people of all races and ethnicities

Family Connections

  • Having a parent, sibling, or child with IBD raises your risk
  • Genetic links play a significant role in disease development

Tobacco Use

Smoking has complex effects on IBD:

  • Major controllable risk factor for Crohn’s disease
  • May have protective effects against ulcerative colitis
  • Overall health damage outweighs any potential benefits
  • Quitting improves digestive tract health

Medication Factors

Common pain relievers can impact IBD risk:

  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  • Naproxen sodium (Aleve)
  • Diclofenac sodium
  • Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

These medications may trigger IBD development in some people or worsen symptoms in those who already have the condition.

Complications

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can lead to several health problems beyond digestive symptoms. These complications may affect both conditions or be specific to one disease.

  • Cancer Risk: People with either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease affecting most of the colon face a higher risk of developing colon cancer. Regular cancer screening with colonoscopies typically begins 8-10 years after diagnosis.
  • Inflammation Beyond the Digestive System: During disease flare-ups, inflammation can affect other body parts, causing:
    • Joint pain and arthritis
    • Skin problems
    • Eye inflammation (uveitis)
  • Medication Side Effects: Treatments for IBD can cause their own problems:
    • Some medicines increase infection risk
    • Certain drugs carry a small cancer risk
    • Corticosteroids may lead to bone loss, high blood pressure, and other issues
  • Blood Vessel Problems: People with IBD have a higher chance of developing blood clots in both veins and arteries.
  • Severe Dehydration: Frequent diarrhea can cause dangerous fluid loss.
  • Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: This uncommon condition causes inflammation and scarring in bile ducts, restricting bile flow and potentially damaging the liver.

Crohn’s Disease-Specific Complications

Bowel Obstruction

Since Crohn’s affects the full thickness of the bowel wall, parts can thicken and narrow over time, blocking digestive contents. Surgery may be needed to remove damaged sections.

Nutritional Problems

Symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain can make eating difficult or prevent proper nutrient absorption. Anemia from iron or vitamin B-12 deficiency is common.

Fistulas

Inflammation can create abnormal connections (fistulas) between different body parts. These most commonly occur around the anal area but can form internally or toward the abdominal wall. Infected fistulas may develop into abscesses (pockets of pus).

Fistula Type Description
Anal fistulas Most common type, forms near the anus
Internal fistulas Connects different parts within the body
Abdominal fistulas Extends toward the abdominal wall

Anal Fissures

Small tears in the tissue lining the anus or surrounding skin can become infected. These are often painful when passing stool and may lead to fistulas.

Ulcerative Colitis-Specific Complications

Toxic Megacolon

This serious condition causes the colon to rapidly widen and swell, requiring emergency treatment.

Perforated Colon

A hole in the colon wall can develop, most commonly from toxic megacolon, though it can occur independently. This represents a medical emergency.


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Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.