Inflammatory Bowel Disease

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term that refers to both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

• Ulcerative colitis is a disease of the colon in which inflammation of the lining of the large intestine occurs.

• Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the lining and wall of the large and/or small intestine.

 

When inflamed, the lining of the intestinal wall is red and swollen, becomes ulcerated, and bleeds. It is important to know about each of these illnesses and how they may affect you.