Inflammatory bowel disease consists of 2 conditions Crohns disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Although these two conditions are similar in that they are chronic and possess numerous similarities they have specific differences. Crohn’s disease has the potential to affect almost any part of the digestive tract, whereas Ulcerative Colitis predominately affects only the large intestine.
The cause of inflammatory bowel disease is not known, but evidence suggests that normal intestinal bacteria inappropriately trigger an immune reaction in people with a genetic predisposition.
Inflammatory bowel disease affects people of all ages but usually a diagnosis in made before the age of 30. Sigmoidoscopy and biomarkers such as ESR, CRP and stool fecal calprotectin are used to diagnose IBD and/or distinguish it from irritable bowel syndrome.
The goal from an alternative perspective is to bring down inflammation, allow for an increase in a variety of foods support all systems of the body through nutrition, herbs and stress management.
