What is IBD?

IBD stands for inflammatory bowel disease, which is an umbrella term used to describe disorders that cause chronic inflammation of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

You may feel concerned, overwhelmed, or sad after you or your loved are diagnosed with IBD. That is normal. You may also have many questions about your illness and what your life will be like. Learning all you can about how inflammatory bowel disease affects your body and how you can manage your symptoms is a great first step.