Inflammatory bowel disease, primarily including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is on the rise globally.
Inflammatory bowel disease
- IBD is an umbrella term for chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Two main types of IBD
- Crohn’s disease: It can affect any part of the digestive system from the mouth to the anus. Swelling may be patchy, meaning that areas of healthy tissue may be adjacent to areas of inflammation. It often affects the layers of the intestinal wall.
- Ulcerative colitis: Limited to the inner lining (mucosa) of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. The inflammation is persistent, affecting the entire colon in severe cases.
- Causes: The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but research suggests a complex interplay of factors such as genetics, the immune system, and environmental factors.
- Symptoms: abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhea, bloody stools, urgent need to defecate, weight loss and fatigue.
- Treatment: There is no legal cure for IBD, but treatment aims to manage symptoms and provide relief. These include medications, dietary changes, and surgery.
Challenges in India
- The incidence of IBD in India has almost doubled from 1990 to 2019, highlighting the urgent need for early detection to facilitate better treatment outcomes.
- Diagnosis of IBD in India presents unique challenges, especially in differentiating between Crohn’s disease and intestinal tuberculosis due to similar clinical features.
- Lifestyle changes, including a shift towards a Western diet, have been cited as factors contributing to the increased incidence of IBD in India.
- Note: IBD is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract influenced by genetic, immune, and environmental factors, whereas Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a non-inflammatory functional bowel disorder likely caused by altered gut-brain interactions. Intrinsic nerve aggravation or compression of the digestive nerve is associated with issues.