Final answer:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term for chronic intestinal conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause inflammation, bleeding, and diarrhea due to an autoimmune response.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to chronic inflammation of the lining of the intestine accompanied by bleeding and diarrhea. Two primary examples of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the GI tract and exhibits symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, which may be bloody. Ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon and rectum, leading to lower abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Both conditions are autoimmune disorders where the immune system attacks the digestive tract, causing the described symptoms.
It is crucial for individuals experiencing such symptoms to seek medical advice, as these conditions can lead to severe complications if left unmanaged. Although these conditions can reduce the quality of life, they do not significantly decrease life expectancy when properly treated. Symptoms of IBD include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever and weight loss. Because they are chronic conditions, they may require long-term treatment strategies to help manage symptoms and flare-ups.