Department of Surgery

Division of Colorectal Surgery

Conditions We Treat

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) covers a spectrum of ailments that cause inflammation, and frequently ulcers, in the intestinal tract. Either or both the small and large intestines may be affected.

Causes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBD is believed to be an autoimmune disorder, whereby cells that normally attack invading disease overreact to “good” bacteria, causing inflammation and gradually eating away at the intestinal lining. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common conditions under the IBD umbrella.

Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Symptoms include:

• Loose stools
• Recurring diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Cramping
• Rectal bleeding and/or blood in the stool

In children, delayed growth and development are possible outcomes.

Learn more about Inflammatory Bowel Disease