Causes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

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Causes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

The cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not known.

Science has put forward a few theories (which are still unproven) about why inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) occurs:

Food sensitivity/allergy

One theory is that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) could be partly caused by food sensitivity, intolerance or allergy. If there is an existing food sensitivity, but the food continues to be eaten, the bowel is not able to tolerate that food and this causes a whole range of adverse problems in the bowel that prevents proper digestion and absorption of the food through the inability of the "good" bacteria to properly ferment the food and help it to be absorbed, which may cause a proliferation of the "bad" bacteria and worsening of symptoms, inflammation of the bowel and this can then lead to the development of inflammatory bowel disease.

Genetics

Studies show some people of certain ethnicity are more prone to developing inflammatory bowel disease, plus if a family member has it, then it is more likely that it will develop in other family members too.

Immune system problems

Some medical experts believe that inflammatory bowel disease could be due to the way that the immune system responds to certain triggers in the digestive system, in an inappropriate way, that leads to inflammation and the other symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

Infection

Some medical experts believe that inflammatory bowel disease is initially caused by a bacterial or viral infection in the intestines that continues to inflame the digestive system and ultimately causes symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

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Last reviewed: 31 July 2008 || Last updated: 14 February 2009

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Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.

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