Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

How inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) effects the small intestine, large intestine, digestive system, and the colon.

Quick Definition: Inflammation of the cell wall (Chrohn's) or of the mucosal layer of the cell wall( Ulcerative Colitis)  Chron's can affect the entire digestive system and is usually more common in the small intestine (illeum).  Ulcerative Coltiis is more commonly a problem in the rectum and lower large intestine.

Some symptoms of Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis

The two types of main bowel diseases are Ulcerative Colitis and Chron's Disease.

These diseases are similar in that the immune system is suspected of not shutting down and many cells rushing to the wall of the intestine to fight a foreign substance.  This causes inflammation in the area suspected of being attacked.

 Diverticultis is another diseases some classify as a bowel disease.  This is a very different condition.  Diverticulitis is when outcropping or bags extending off the intestine form.  They can rupture and allow waste being processed in the intestine to leak into the body.  Doctors commonly prescribe operations to remove these.