The main diseases in IBD are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
The inflammation in the bowel may lead to malabsorption of nutrients and therefore a poor nutritional status. The cause of IBD is not known.
Crohn’s Disease (CD)
This can affect the any part of the gut from mouth to anus, however the small bowel is the most common site for Crohn’s Disease. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhoea (possibly with mucous and/or blood), weight loss and lethargy.
It may be treated with medications such as immuno-suppressants, steroids or an anti-inflammatory agent. Surgery may be necessary to remove diseased bowel, for example due to an obstruction caused by an inflammatory mass.
An appropriate diet is important during remission of the disease to optimise nutritional status and particularly important during a flare up or if surgery is required.
Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
This affects the terminal ileum (end of the small bowel) and the colon (large bowel).
There is no evidence of a link with diet, however it is important to ensure a diet that can maintain your nutritional status. Furthermore an appropriate diet may help to improve symptoms.
Symptoms and diagnosis is similar to Crohn’s Disease, although it is more common to have blood passed with stools.
The colon may be resected if medication fails to control severity of ulcerative colitis.
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