Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Digestive Health

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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic inflammation of all or part of your digestive tract. IBD primarily includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. IBD can be painful and debilitating, and sometimes leads to life-threatening complications.

Ulcerative colitis (UL-sur-uh-tiv koe-LIE-tis) is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation in part of your digestive tract. Symptoms usually develop over time, rather than suddenly. Ulcerative colitis usually affects only the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. It occurs only through continuous stretches of your colon.

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation anywhere along the lining of your digestive tract, and often spreads deep into affected tissues. This can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and even malnutrition. The inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people.

Collagenous colitis (kuh-LAJ-uh-nus) and lymphocytic colitis also are considered inflammatory bowel diseases, but are usually regarded separately from classic inflammatory bowel disease.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for IBD treatment

  • Experience. Each year, Mayo Clinic doctors diagnose and treat hundreds of adults and children with inflammatory bowel disease. Mayo specializes in helping people with severe symptoms that haven't responded well to treatment in the past.
  • Cutting-edge medicine. At Mayo Clinic, you have access to the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies. State-of-the-art imaging helps Mayo doctors diagnose and treat your IBD. Most colorectal surgery at Mayo uses minimally invasive techniques.
  • Team approach. Treating IBD takes cooperation from specialists in digestive diseases (gastroenterology), surgery, pathology, radiology and nutrition care. Mayo specialists work together to ensure that you receive all the expertise you need.
  • Comprehensive care. IBD can cause other health problems, such as osteoporosis or liver disease. Virtually all medical services you might need are available "under one roof" at Mayo Clinic.
  • Time for you. Your Mayo Clinic doctor will take time to discuss options and answer your questions about IBD.
  • New ideas. Mayo Clinic researchers are investigating new ways to diagnose and treat IBD, including clinical trials of new medications. You have access to the expertise of Mayo's clinician-researchers.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., ranks No. 1 for digestive disorders in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked among the Best Hospitals for digestive disorders by U.S. News & World Report.

Symptoms
References
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  3. Ulcerative colitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/print/sec02/ch018/ch018c.html. Accessed July 1, 2011.
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  13. Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. July 22, 2011.
  14. Colorectal cancer screening guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/screening/guidelines.htm. Accessed July 12, 2011.
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  32. Margolis DJ, et al. Potential association between the oral tetracycline class of antimicrobials used to treat acne and inflammatory bowel disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2010;105:2610.
  33. Loftus EV (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 21, 2011.
DS01195 Dec. 13, 2012

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