Conclusion
The small bowel performs many functions, including food digestion and absorption of essential nutrients from food into the body. Common conditions within the small bowel include the IBD subtypes, Crohn's Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis. These conditions cause inflammation, lesions, ulcers and bleeding that impair the digestion process and disturb normal absorption of nutrients, resulting in various symptoms.
In this program you learned specifically about the differences in the IBD subtypes, Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Both conditions usually involve severe diarrhea, pain, fatigue and weight loss. IBD can be debilitating and sometimes leads to life-threatening complications. When it comes to IBD, getting an accurate diagnosis can be a challenge. A combination of tests is used to confirm a diagnosis and to understand the extent and location of disease, which helps determine appropriate treatment options for affected patients.
