261 Virgin Olive Oil Benefits INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE A general term for chronic inflammatory conditions of the bowel that includes two main disorders: colitis and Crohn’s disease. These conditions usually affect young adults between 20 and 40 years of age, although they may also occur in children or in individuals over 60, affecting men and women equally. Both colitis and Crohn’s disease present with a relapsing course (periods of activity and remission) and tend to become chronic. They cause inflammation that appears intermittently in different parts of the digestive tract. Colitis affects the large intestine (colon and rectum), whereas Crohn’s disease can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly affects the terminal ileum, the final section of the small intestine that connects to the colon. - Crohn’s disease A type of inflammatory bowel disease. It is a chronic condition that typically follows a relapsing course and can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. Its exact cause is unknown, but it is thought to result from a combination of environmental, immune, and microbiological factors in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Although the immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract, it is not classified as an autoimmune disease because the immune response is not triggered by the body itself. Symptoms include abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea, faecal incontinence, rectal bleeding, fatigue, anaemia, weight loss, malnutrition, and tenesmus (a persistent feeling of needing to defecate even when the bowels are empty, typically associated with inflammatory bowel conditions). People with Crohn’s disease are at increased risk of developing colon cancer, and in some cases the condition can lead to life-threatening complications. Although there is no known cure for Crohn’s disease, available treatments can significantly reduce signs and symptoms, even with long-term remission without bowel inflammation. With proper therapy, many patients can lead a normal life. - Colitis Inflammation of the large intestine (colon and rectum). It may occur as part of other diseases affecting the body and can be accompanied by fever, chills, fatigue, and dehydration. There are several types of colitis, including ulcerative colitis, collagenous colitis, and indeterminate colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the colon and rectum. It typically causes abdominal pain and diarrhoea, sometimes with blood, pus, or mucus in the stool. The condition follows a relapsing-remitting course, with alternating periods of activity and remission. It is considered an autoimmune condition, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. Collagenous colitis affects the large intestine, causing episodes of watery diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Indeterminate colitis refers to cases where it is not possible to distinguish clearly between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease based on the available clinical or histological evidence.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Njg1MjYx