{"id":5420,"date":"2025-12-09T00:36:19","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T05:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=5420"},"modified":"2026-01-12T18:38:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T23:38:38","slug":"inflammatory-bowel-diseases-ibds","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/chapter\/inflammatory-bowel-diseases-ibds\/","title":{"raw":"10p22  Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs)","rendered":"10p22  Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs)"},"content":{"raw":"<strong>Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs): Crohn\u2019s Disease &amp; Ulcerative Colitis<\/strong>\r\n<h1><strong>Overview<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Canada<\/strong>\u00a0has the\u00a0<strong>highest prevalence<\/strong>\u00a0worldwide.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Approximately 5 million Canadians<\/strong>\u00a0suffer from IBD.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>IBDs are characterized by\u00a0<strong>chronic inflammation<\/strong>\u00a0of the intestines.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>1.\u00a0 Crohn\u2019s Disease<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Typically affects<\/strong>\u00a0the\u00a0<strong>terminal ileum<\/strong>\u00a0and sometimes the colon.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Lesions<\/strong>:\u00a0<strong>Skip lesions<\/strong>\u00a0(patchy inflammation with normal tissue in between).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Pathology<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Ulcers<\/strong>\u00a0can enlarge to form\u00a0<strong>fissures<\/strong>\u00a0(deep cracks).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Can penetrate\u00a0<strong>all layers<\/strong>\u00a0of the intestinal wall (<strong>transmural<\/strong>).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Fibrosis<\/strong>\u00a0leads to\u00a0<strong>lumen narrowing<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>obstructions<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Skip lesions<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>abscesses<\/strong>\u00a0may develop.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Fistulas<\/strong>: abnormal connections between different sections of intestine or to other organs.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Impacts<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Impaired\u00a0<strong>absorption<\/strong>\u00a0(malnutrition, weight loss).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Diarrhea<\/strong>, sometimes\u00a0<strong>steatorrhea<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Anemia<\/strong>\u00a0due to blood loss and poor nutrient absorption.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Low serum proteins<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Right lower quadrant pain<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Motility<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Inflammation can either increase motility (diarrhea) or decrease it (obstruction).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>2.\u00a0 Ulcerative Colitis<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Affects<\/strong>\u00a0the\u00a0<strong>colon<\/strong>\u00a0starting at the\u00a0<strong>rectum<\/strong>\u00a0and extending\u00a0<strong>upward<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Lesions<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Limited to\u00a0<strong>mucosa and submucosa<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Continuous lesions without skip areas.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Impacts<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Diarrhea with blood<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Ulcers<\/strong>\u00a0cause bleeding.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Less malabsorption compared to Crohn\u2019s but can cause anemia.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Pain and cramping<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Pathophysiology and Common Features<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Autoimmune and immune-mediated.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Elevated\u00a0<strong>antibodies<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>cytokines<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>May coexist with\u00a0<strong>arthritis<\/strong>\u00a0(similar to rheumatoid arthritis).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Complications<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Fibrosis<\/strong>\u00a0causing\u00a0<strong>strictures<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Fistulas<\/strong>\u00a0(abnormal connections).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Abscesses<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Malnutrition<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>weight loss<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Anemia<\/strong>\u00a0from blood loss and poor absorption.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Delayed growth<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>puberty<\/strong>\u00a0in children.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Increased risk of\u00a0<strong>colon cancer<\/strong>\u00a0over time.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Perforation<\/strong>\u00a0risk in severe cases.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Diagnosis<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Endoscopy<\/strong>\u00a0with\u00a0<strong>biopsy<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Imaging studies showing\u00a0<strong>skip lesions<\/strong>\u00a0in Crohn's.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Blood tests for\u00a0<strong>inflammation markers<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Stool tests for\u00a0<strong>blood<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>infection<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Management<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Anti-inflammatory agents<\/strong>\u00a0(e.g., corticosteroids).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Immunosuppressants<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Antimicrobials<\/strong>\u00a0to prevent or treat infections.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Nutritional supplements<\/strong>\u00a0for malnutrition.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Surgery in cases of\u00a0<strong>obstruction<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>fistulas<\/strong>, or\u00a0<strong>perforation<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Lifestyle<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Diet modification.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Avoid triggers like spicy foods or smoking.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Both Crohn\u2019s disease and ulcerative colitis are\u00a0<strong>autoimmune<\/strong>, chronic, and inflammatory.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Require\u00a0<strong>medication<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>nutritional support<\/strong>, and sometimes\u00a0<strong>surgical intervention<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Early diagnosis and management improve\u00a0<strong>quality of life<\/strong>\u00a0and prevent severe complications.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","rendered":"<p><strong>Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs): Crohn\u2019s Disease &amp; Ulcerative Colitis<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Overview<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Canada<\/strong>\u00a0has the\u00a0<strong>highest prevalence<\/strong>\u00a0worldwide.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Approximately 5 million Canadians<\/strong>\u00a0suffer from IBD.<\/li>\n<li>IBDs are characterized by\u00a0<strong>chronic inflammation<\/strong>\u00a0of the intestines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>1.\u00a0 Crohn\u2019s Disease<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Typically affects<\/strong>\u00a0the\u00a0<strong>terminal ileum<\/strong>\u00a0and sometimes the colon.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lesions<\/strong>:\u00a0<strong>Skip lesions<\/strong>\u00a0(patchy inflammation with normal tissue in between).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pathology<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ulcers<\/strong>\u00a0can enlarge to form\u00a0<strong>fissures<\/strong>\u00a0(deep cracks).<\/li>\n<li>Can penetrate\u00a0<strong>all layers<\/strong>\u00a0of the intestinal wall (<strong>transmural<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fibrosis<\/strong>\u00a0leads to\u00a0<strong>lumen narrowing<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>obstructions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Skip lesions<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>abscesses<\/strong>\u00a0may develop.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fistulas<\/strong>: abnormal connections between different sections of intestine or to other organs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Impacts<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Impaired\u00a0<strong>absorption<\/strong>\u00a0(malnutrition, weight loss).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Diarrhea<\/strong>, sometimes\u00a0<strong>steatorrhea<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Anemia<\/strong>\u00a0due to blood loss and poor nutrient absorption.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Low serum proteins<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Right lower quadrant pain<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Motility<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Inflammation can either increase motility (diarrhea) or decrease it (obstruction).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>2.\u00a0 Ulcerative Colitis<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Affects<\/strong>\u00a0the\u00a0<strong>colon<\/strong>\u00a0starting at the\u00a0<strong>rectum<\/strong>\u00a0and extending\u00a0<strong>upward<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lesions<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Limited to\u00a0<strong>mucosa and submucosa<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Continuous lesions without skip areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Impacts<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Diarrhea with blood<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ulcers<\/strong>\u00a0cause bleeding.<\/li>\n<li>Less malabsorption compared to Crohn\u2019s but can cause anemia.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pain and cramping<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Pathophysiology and Common Features<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Autoimmune and immune-mediated.<\/li>\n<li>Elevated\u00a0<strong>antibodies<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>cytokines<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>May coexist with\u00a0<strong>arthritis<\/strong>\u00a0(similar to rheumatoid arthritis).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Complications<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Fibrosis<\/strong>\u00a0causing\u00a0<strong>strictures<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fistulas<\/strong>\u00a0(abnormal connections).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Abscesses<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Malnutrition<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>weight loss<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Anemia<\/strong>\u00a0from blood loss and poor absorption.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Delayed growth<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>puberty<\/strong>\u00a0in children.<\/li>\n<li>Increased risk of\u00a0<strong>colon cancer<\/strong>\u00a0over time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Perforation<\/strong>\u00a0risk in severe cases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Diagnosis<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Endoscopy<\/strong>\u00a0with\u00a0<strong>biopsy<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Imaging studies showing\u00a0<strong>skip lesions<\/strong>\u00a0in Crohn&#8217;s.<\/li>\n<li>Blood tests for\u00a0<strong>inflammation markers<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Stool tests for\u00a0<strong>blood<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>infection<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Management<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Anti-inflammatory agents<\/strong>\u00a0(e.g., corticosteroids).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Immunosuppressants<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Antimicrobials<\/strong>\u00a0to prevent or treat infections.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Nutritional supplements<\/strong>\u00a0for malnutrition.<\/li>\n<li>Surgery in cases of\u00a0<strong>obstruction<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>fistulas<\/strong>, or\u00a0<strong>perforation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lifestyle<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Diet modification.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid triggers like spicy foods or smoking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Both Crohn\u2019s disease and ulcerative colitis are\u00a0<strong>autoimmune<\/strong>, chronic, and inflammatory.<\/li>\n<li>Require\u00a0<strong>medication<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>nutritional support<\/strong>, and sometimes\u00a0<strong>surgical intervention<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Early diagnosis and management improve\u00a0<strong>quality of life<\/strong>\u00a0and prevent severe complications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"author":1370,"menu_order":25,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":["zoe-soon"],"pb_section_license":"cc-by-nc-sa"},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[60],"license":[57],"class_list":["post-5420","chapter","type-chapter","status-web-only","hentry","contributor-zoe-soon","license-cc-by-nc-sa"],"part":67,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1370"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5420\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5422,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5420\/revisions\/5422"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/67"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5420\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=5420"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=5420"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=5420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}