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"Chronic inflammatory bowel disease, or IBDs, include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.\n\nCrohn’s disease, a chronic inflammation of the digestive system, develops in a cycle of attacks and phases of remission. It causes abdominal pain and diarrhea, which can last for several weeks or months and lead to fatigue, weight loss and even malnutrition. It can also cause non-digestive symptoms that affect the skin, joints or eyes.\n\nCrohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. However, it is most often found at the junction of the small intestine and the colon (large intestine).\n\nCauses\n\nThe causes of inflammation are poorly understood, but research has shown that it may be linked to genetic, autoimmune and environmental factors.\n\nGenetic factors\n\nAlthough Crohn’s disease is not entirely genetic, some genes may increase the risk of developing it. As with many other diseases, it appears that a genetic predisposition, combined with environmental or lifestyle factors triggers the disease.\n\nAutoimmune factors\n\nResearchers now believe that inflammation of the digestive tract may be linked to the body’s excessive immune response against viruses or bacteria in the intestine.\n\nEnvironmental factors\n\nThe incidence of Crohn’s disease is higher in industrialized countries and has increased considerably since 1950. This suggests that it is linked to the Western lifestyle. However, no specific factors have yet been identified and research continues.\n\nSymptoms\n\n\nFrequent abdominal pain and cramps, which worsen after meals\nChronic diarrhea (lasting more than two weeks)\nFatigue and general discomfort\nLow appetite and weight loss\nBlood in the stool, sometimes in large quantities (hemorrhaging)\nThick mucus in the stool, having the consistency of an egg white\nNausea and vomiting.\nMild fever (38ºC to 40ºC)\nJoint pain\n\n\nTreatment for Crohn’s disease\n\nThe treatment of Crohn’s disease depends on many factors, including age, disease severity and personal resistance to a drug’s side effects. Various oral anti-inflammatory drugs such as glucocorticoids (budesonide, prednisone) and sulfasalazine are administered first. More severe cases require the use of stronger immunomodulating agents (azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine), including biologicals such as infliximab. Fifty percent of patients with Crohn’s disease need surgery during their lifetime, either to unblock segments of the intestine or to remove a diseased section of the colon.\n\nUlcerative colitis\n\nLlike Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the lining of the rectum and moves up into the colon. It is diagnosed mostly in people between the ages of 30 and 40, but can occur at any age in both men and women.\n\nCauses\n\nScientists believe that the inflammation of the colorectal mucosa is caused by an excessive immune response against viruses or bacteria in the gut, and that this reaction is directed against the “good” bacteria normally living in the digestive tract (intestinal flora).\n\nUlcerative colitis may also be linked to environmental factors, while stress and food intolerances can trigger symptoms in some people. However, these factors do not cause the disease.\n\nSymptoms\n\nThe following symptoms appear during an attack:\n\n\nPainful abdominal cramps, especially in the lower belly\nBlood in the stool\nDiarrhea\nFrequent bowel movements\nAn urgent need to defecate, even if there are no stools to evacuate (rectal tenesmus)\nWeight loss due to reduced appetite and poor absorption of nutrients into the intestine\nFatigue\nFever\n\n\nPossible Complications\n\n\nObstruction (partial or total) of the digestive tract, caused by chronic inflammation that thickens the wall of the digestive tract\nUlcers in the wall of the digestive tract\nColon dilation and puncture\nWounds, fistulas or abscesses around the anus\nBleeding in the digestive track\nIncreased risk of developing colon cancer\nDelayed growth and puberty in children and adolescents\nIron-deficiency anemia\nNon-digestive health problems such as arthritis, skin conditions, inflammation of the eyes, oral ulcers and kidney stones\n\n\nTreatment for ulcerative colitis\n\nThe treatment for ulcerative colitis is similar to the treatment for Crohn’s disease. Contrary to Crohn’s disease, which can affect the entire digestive tract, ulcerative colitis affects mainly the lower colon and rectum. Various anti-inflammatory agents such as mesalamine and glucocorticoids (prednisone) can be administered, in the form of suppositories or rectal suspension (enema). More severe cases will require the use of strong immunosuppressants (azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, infliximab, etc.). Severe cases may require surgery to remove the colon, rectum and sometimes even the anus. In the latter case, a permanent stoma is required."
<https://www.biron.com/en/education-center/neat-little-guide/digestive-disorders/>