Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is the common name used to describe a set of two chronic diseases of the intestinal tract: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These diseases inflame the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and disrupt the body’s ability to digest food, absorb nutrition, and eliminate waste in a healthy manner. They are lifelong diseases and people can experience acute periods of active disease or flares and periods of remission.

Inflammation from Crohn’s disease can strike anywhere in the GI tract from mouth to anus but is usually located in the lower part of the small bowel and the upper colon. Patches of inflammation are interspersed between healthy portions of the gut and can penetrate the intestinal layers from inner to outer lining.