Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a lifelong inflammatory disease characterised by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is responsible for digesting and absorbing nutrients from the food we eat and can broadly be described as existing in two sections, the upper and lower GI tract.¹

In the upper GI tract food is broken down mechanically in the mouth, by enzymes in the mouth and stomach, and by acid in the stomach.²

The first part of the lower GI tract, the small intestine, continues the process of digestion, but is also the main site of nutrient absorption. The final part of the GI tract, the large intestine, is responsible for reabsorption of water and is the site of formation and storage of faeces.²

IBD is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system starts attacking itself and causing inflammation and swelling in the gut.¹

While some forms of IBD affect only specific sections of the GI tract others can affect anywhere along the entire length.¹

In Ireland it is estimated that approximately over 40,000 people are affected by IBD. The exact causes of IBD are not fully understood, but it is likely that both the immune system and genetics may be contributory factors.³

There are different types of IBD including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and microscopic colitis. Please see further details on these in the tabs above.