Columbus Community Hospital

Connect with us:

  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
    • Concussion Management Program
    • Diabetes and Health Education
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Emergency Department/Trauma Services
    • Gift Shop
    • Health Library
    • Home Health
    • Hospice
    • Hospitalist Services
    • ICU/ACU
    • Laboratory
    • Lifeline
    • Maternal Child Health
    • Occupational Health Services
    • Oncology and Infusion Services
    • Orthopedic Services
    • Pain Management
    • Rehabilitative Services
    • Respiratory Care
    • Same Day Services
    • Skilled Nursing
    • Sleep Lab
    • Sports Medicine
    • Surgical Services
    • Swing Bed
    • Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care
    • Women’s Health
    • Wiggles & Giggles Therapy for Kids
    • W.O.C. Health Center
    • Additional Services
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Cafeteria Menu
    • Cost Estimator
    • E-Cards
    • Find a Physician
    • General Information
    • Health Education Department
    • Joint Commission
    • Location/Map
    • Nominate a Nurse
    • Non-Discrimination and Language Help
    • Online Bill Pay
    • Patient Financial Information
    • Patient Portal
    • Pre-admission
    • Registration
    • Social Media Policy
    • Visiting Hours
    • Web Nursery
  • Donate Today
    • Make a Donation
    • Q & A about Donating
    • Ways to Give
    • Current Memorials
    • News & Events
    • Foundation Annual Report
  • Volunteer
  • News & Events
    • Annual Report
    • Community Benefit
    • Calendar of Events
    • Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)
    • Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
    • CHIP Implementation Plan
    • Community Newsletter
    • Latest News
    • Support Groups
    • We Can Run, Walk and Roll
  • Careers
    • Apply
    • Physician
    • Benefits
    • Job Postings
    • Shared Governance
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact Us
    • Recognition Form
Home > Our Services > Health Library
  • X
  • Conditions
  • Conditions In-depth
  • Procedures
  • Wellness Centers
  • Natural & Alternative
  • Drug Info
  • Procedure Animations
  • Wellness Videos
Symptom CheckerQuick Nav
 
Health Library Home>Conditions InDepth>Article

Conditions InDepth: Inflammatory Bowel Disease

by Debra Wood, RN
En Español (Spanish Version)
Main Page
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Screening
Reducing Your Risk
Talking to Your Doctor
Resource Guide

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to chronic conditions that cause inflammation in the lining and, in some instances, the wall of the intestine. The 2 primary types of IBD are:

Ulcerative colitis—This type causes inflammation and ulcers in the top lining of the colon and rectum.

Ulcerative Colitis

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Crohn’s disease—This type causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining and the wall of any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease usually affects the small intestine, particularly the last section (called the ileum). However, any part of the gastrointestinal tract—from the mouth to the anus—can be affected. The inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease reaches deeper into the layers of the intestinal wall, as opposed to ulcerative colitis, which affects primarily the lining of the intestine.

Crohn's Disease

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

The cause of inflammatory bowel disease is not known. It seems to run in some families. Some researchers think that an infection causes the immune system to overreact and damage the intestines.

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America estimates that as many as one million Americans may have inflammatory bowel disease—about half of these people have Crohn’s and the other half have ulcerative colitis.

Increased Risk of Colon Cancer

About 5% of people with ulcerative colitis eventually develop colon cancer. The risk of cancer increases with the duration and the extent of involvement of the colon. The risk is higher in those with ulcerative colitis with involvement of the entire colon and in those who have had the disease over 8-10 years.

Complications of Crohn’s Disease

Possible complications of Crohn’s disease include intestinal obstruction and formation of fistulas. A fistula is an abnormal connection between the intestine and other organs or tissues, such as the bladder, vagina, or skin.

What are the risk factors for inflammatory bowel disease?
What are the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?
How is inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed?
What are the treatments for inflammatory bowel disease?
Are there screening tests for inflammatory bowel disease?
How can I reduce my risk of inflammatory bowel disease?
What questions should I ask my doctor?
Where can I get more information about inflammatory bowel disease?
REFERENCES:

Crohn disease in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114217/Crohn-disease-in-adults. Updated May 16, 2018. Accessed December 21, 2018.

IBD. American Gastroenterological Association website. Available at: https://www.gastro.org/practice-guidance/gi-patient-center/topic/inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd. Accessed December 21, 2018.

Ulcerative colitis in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114507/Ulcerative-colitis-in-adults. Updated October 26, 2018. Accessed December 21, 2018.

What are Crohn's & colitis? Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America website. Available at: http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/what-are-crohns-and-colitis. Accessed December 21, 2018.

Last reviewed September 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review BoardDaus Mahnke, MD  Last Updated: 11/20/2020

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.

Copyright ©  EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy

© 2014 Columbus Community Hospital, Inc.
4600 38th Street
P.O. Box 1800
Columbus, Nebraska 68602-1800
T: 402-564-7118
E: info@columbushosp.org

Web Design by In10sity

  • Home
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Search This Site
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Product Review Request
  • About Us
  • Clinical Education
  • Student Central
  • Staff Email
  • HPF Webstation
  • ANSOS Web Scheduler
  • CCH PACS
  • CCH PACS-Lite
Symptom Checker