bowel disease, inflammatory

bowel disease, inflammatory A group of chronic intestinal diseases characterized by inflammation of the bowel (the small and large intestine). Abbreviated IBD. The most common types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The portion of the intestine that is affected becomes irritated and swollen, and ulcers may form. IBD can be limited to the intestine or associated with disease involving the skin, joints, spine, liver, eyes, and other organs. The cause is not always known, although it can be caused or made worse by infection. Symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea. Symptoms tend to wax and wane, and long remissions and even spontaneous resolution of symptoms are well known. Although people of any age can be affected, IBD is most common in young adults. Treatment involves dietary changes, the use of medicines, and sometimes surgery, depending on the type and course of the disease under care. Effective therapy exists for the majority of cases. Narcotics, codeine, and antidiarrheal medications should be avoided during severe episodes of IBD because they may cause dangerous colon swelling (toxic megacolon). See also Crohn’s disease; colitis, ulcerative.