Ask The Expert/FAQs

Other Frequently Asked Questions:

	Q.	What is inflammatory bowel disease?
	Q.	What is the difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?
	Q.	Is IBD a genetically inherited disease?
	Q.	What is the difference between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and IBD?

Q. What is inflammatory bowel disease?

A. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the collective term for diseases that cause chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and can result in damage to the digestive system. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two subtypes. They have similar symptoms – fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss – and can be difficult to tell apart, requiring a variety of tests, including examining the intestinal tract with a tiny camera, or endoscope.

Q. What is the difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?

A. Crohn’s disease usually involves the small intestine but the inflammation can occur anywhere along the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. The inflammation also can spread deep into the affected tissue. Crohn’s disease can recur even after diseased tissue is removed.
Ulcerative colitis affects only the colon and the inflammation usually affects only the top layer of the bowel lining. Although ulcerative colitis can involve all or part of the colon, it does not occur in patches as Crohn’s disease does. Ulcerative colitis can be cured completely by removing the colon and rectum.

Q. Is IBD a genetically inherited disease?

A. Because about 25 percent of IBD patients have a direct relative with the disease, medical researchers believe it may be hereditary. Other factors thought to play a role are a dysfunctional immune system and environmental triggers. IBD affects men and women in equal numbers and can emerge at any age. The diseases most often occur in Europe, Canada and the United States. Americans of Jewish heritage develop IBD at a rate four or five times greater than the overall population.

Q. What is the difference between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and IBD?

A. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and IBD have similar symptoms, especially abdominal cramping and diarrhea. But unlike IBD, irritable bowel syndrome does not involve overt inflammation or ulcers in the intestinal tract. The cause of IBS is unknown but consists of alterations in gut motility, abnormal brain and gut interactions, and hypersensitivity to foods, distention and hormones. IBS does not cause IBD, but 15 to 20% of patients with IBD also have IBS.

Questions? Please contact the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at 888.717.4463.

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