What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease is an autoimmune disease, just like lupus, Celiac's, and rheumatoid arthritis. Basically, the immune system has gone crazy, and attacks the digestive system. There are two main inflammatory bowel diseases- ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

While both Crohn's and ulcerative colitis cause inflammation, malnutrition, dehydration, anemia, fatigue and pain, there are some major differences between the diseases.  In ulcerative colitis, the disease is restricted to the colon, rectum and anus. In Crohn's, the disease can affect any tissue in the digestive system, from the gum to the bum, but is usually located in the small intestine.

Approximately one in every two hundred Americans have inflammatory bowel disease. There is no cure, but there will always be hope!