Inflammatory bowel disease  is an ongoing or chronic health problem that causes inflammation and swelling in the digestive tract. The irritation causes bleeding sores called ulcers to form along the digestive tract. This in turn can cause crampy, abdominal pain and severe bloody diarrhea.
There are two main types of inflammatory bowel disease: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The diseases are very similar. The main difference between UC and CD is the area of the digestive tract they affect. CD can occur along the entire digestive tract and spread deep into the bowel wall. In contrast, UC usually only affects the top layer of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

What causes Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

The causes are unknown. The disease may be caused by a germ or by an immune system problem. Fortunately inflammatory bowel disease isn't contagious, your family member they do not have to worry to catch the disease.

However, inflammatory bowel disease does seem to be hereditary (runs in your family).

Symptoms?

The most common symptoms of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are diarrhea and abdominal pain. Diarrhea can range from mild to severe.
At times, those with inflammatory bowel disease may also have constipation. With Crohn's disease, this can happen as a result of a partial obstruction (called stricture) in the intestines. In ulcerative colitis, constipation may be a symptom of inflammation of the rectum (also known as proctitis). Because of the loss of fluid and nutrients from diarrhea and chronic inflammation of the bowel, someone with inflammatory bowel disease may also experience fever, fatigue, weight loss, dehydration, and malnutrition. Pain usually results from the abdominal cramping, which is caused by irritation of the nerves and muscles that control intestinal contractions.

How to Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself. It's important to eat a healthy diet. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may ask you to cut down on the amount of fiber or dairy products in your diet. In addition to eating well, you need to get enough rest. It's also important that you learn to manage the stress in your life.

Drug treatment is the main method for relieving the symptoms of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Great progress is being made in the development of medications for treating inflammatory bowel disease. Your doctor may prescribe: Anti-inflammatory drugs (used to decrease the inflammation caused by the disease).
Immunosuppressive agents (which work to restrain the immune system from attacking the body's own tissues and causing further inflammation).