May 19 is celebrated as World Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Day. Then, what is IBD and what are the risk factors?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is basically an autoimmune disease that begins or ‘nests’ in the digestive tract known as chronic intestinal inflammation. IBD is also described as a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract that results from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposure, and dysregulation of the immune response to gut microbes. There are two types of IBD: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The following is the explanation of Prof. Marcellus Simadibrata, MD, Ph.D., FACG, FASGE regarding IBD.

Crohn’s disease, also known as Crohn’s Disease (CD) is an inflammation of the entire digestive system, from the mouth to the anus. PC or CD autoimmunity can attack many parts of the digestive tract. Generally, patients with this disease find the inflammatory areas blotchy and interspersed with healthy areas. Inflammation due to autoimmune PC can also extend to all layers of the intestinal wall.

While Ulcerative Colitis or Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation of the innermost lining of the large intestine. UC only attacks the colon and rectum. Areas of inflammation due to UC appear to be continuous or unspotted like PC. Usually, the inflammation starts from the rectum, then extends to the large intestine. UC-type IBD inflammation occurs only in the lining of the inner intestinal wall of the large intestine.

Symptoms of IBD

There are many symptoms that you can suspect and be aware of as a sign of IBD such as bloody bowel movements (hematochezia), nausea, fever, abdominal pain or cramps, flatulence, diarrhea, decreased appetite, drastic weight loss (without diet), stool mixed with mucus, frequent feeling of fatigue, and increased bowel movements. Prof. Marcel also added that IBD patients generally often experience diarrhea and it (diarrhea) occurs not every now and then but almost every day.

IBD Risk Factors

In addition to autoimmune disease, a person can be at risk of developing IBD due to the following reasons: smoking, having a history of infection, frequently taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), living near industrial areas, being under 35 years of age, and having genetic or hereditary factors. . According to Prof. Marcel, IBD is more often found in productive ages, aged 20-30 years. However, there are also cases in children and/or the elderly depending on other risk factors.

IBD cannot be taken lightly, because it can lead to a decrease in the patient’s quality of life. In addition, patients are also likely to experience complications that require treatment and surgical procedures and can lead to a high enough mortality if left sick without proper treatment. Thus, it is very important for patients to treat or control the physical symptoms they suffer.

Source: https://www.kompas.com/sains/read/2021/05/26/110100623/penyakit-autoimun-ibd-kenali-gejala-jenisnya-hingga-faktor-risiko-?page=all 

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