What is the Full form of IBD?

IBD stands for “Inflammatory Bowel Disease”

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term for two conditions (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) that are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.¹ Prolonged inflammation results in damage to the GI tract.

Symptoms of IBD

Some common symptoms are:

• Persistent diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding/bloody stools
• Weight loss
• Fatigue

Causes of IBD

The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but IBD is the result of a defective immune system. A properly functioning immune system attacks foreign organisms, such as viruses and bacteria, to protect the body. In IBD, the immune system responds incorrectly to environmental triggers, which causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

There also appears to be a genetic component - someone with a family history of IBD is more likely to develop this inappropriate immune response.