Inflammatory Bowel Disease

What is inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term used to describe two main diseases: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. 

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation of only the inner lining of the colon (large bowel), and rectum. 

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the full thickness of the bowel wall and may involve any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. Most often the ileum, which is the last part of the small bowel, or the colon, or both are involved.

Inflammatory bowel disease may be a chronic illness that requires follow up and treatment with a gastroenterologist and in some cases may require surgery with a colorectal surgeon.

More information on IBD can be found below:

Information for patients https://www.gesa.org.au/public/13/files/Consumer%20Information/IBD_Crohns_Colitis_Factsheet.pdf

Information for GPs https://www.gesa.org.au/public/13/files/Professional/2018_IBD_Clinical_Update_May_update.pdf