Context: The rising incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) across the globe has become a concern for doctors.
About Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):
- It is the common name used to describe two chronic diseases of the intestinal tract: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis that cause inflammation in the intestines.
- Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus but most commonly affects the end of the small intestine (the ileum) and the beginning of the colon.
- Ulcerative colitis can affect any part of the large intestine.
- Both diseases involve chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, which can lead to a variety of abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea.
- IBD is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues. It is not yet known what triggers these attacks and why IBD develops in some people and not in others even the exact cause of IBD is not known, but it is believed to result from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and immune factors.
- Diagnosis typically involves a combination of endoscopic procedures (such as colonoscopy), imaging studies, and biopsies, along with blood and stool tests to confirm inflammation and rule out infections.
- There is no cure for IBD, but there are treatments that can help to control the inflammation and improve symptoms. Treatment for IBD may include medication, diet therapy such as curd and buttermilk, and less milk, more rice and millets, fruits, and vegetables.