Inflammatory Bowel Disease Analysis

What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease? Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a term used to describe disorders in which the intestines become red and swollen, or inflamed. The two major types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. They are very similar, but the main difference in the two are the parts of the digestive tract each type affects. Crohn’s Disease is often found in the ileum of the small intestine, but can occur anywhere in the digestive tract (from the mouth to the anus). In Crohn’s disease, the body's immune system attacks healthy cells in the digestive tract, causing inflammation of the lining (Jacqueline Wolf, 2005). Ulcerative Colitis causes inflammation and sores (ulcers) in the lining of the large intestine, or colon. The sigmoid colon and rectum are usually affected. The more of the colon affected, the worse the symptoms will be (What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?, 2014). The intestines area a long, continuous tube that runs from the stomach to the anus. The small intestines, which are approximately 20 feet long and an inch in diameter, absorb most nutrients from what we eat and drink. The large intestines, which are approximately 5 feet long and 3 inches in diameter, absorb water from wastes, forming stool. When the intestines become inflamed with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, they are unable …show more content…
However, it was thought to believe that stress and diet were the cause, but it was later discovered that it only made the disease worse. Today, factors suggest that heredity or malfunction of the immune system could be the cause. According to the article “Inflammatory Bowel Disease” written by Abdul Mohamed, there is a chance of developing Inflammatory Bowel Disease if there is a close family member that has the condition. The immune system malfunctions when it begins attacking healthy cells inside the digestive tract while trying to fight off a virus or