Autoimmune Disorders Maladaptive Responses to Essay

"Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) is a broad term that describes conditions with chronic or recurring immune response and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two most common inflammatory bowel diseases are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease" (IBD, 2013, CDC). Ulcerative colitis affects the large colon; Crohn's usually affects the small colon and the beginning portion of the large colon. Regardless in both manifestations of IBD, the body attacks the cells of the intestine, mistaking 'good' things like food and bacteria for dangerous invaders and thus causing chronic inflammation.

The effects of IBD can be extremely severe because of the nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and subsequent weight loss and malnutrition that they cause. Crohn's is particularly dangerous because it can cause intestinal blockage from severe swelling and scaring. Ulcers can cause fistulas which become infected. Unlike lupus, both forms of IBD can be treated with surgery as well as various anti-inflammatory drugs. "Two-thirds to three-quarters of patients with Crohn's disease will require surgery at some point during their lives" when medicines can no longer control the disorder (IBD, 2013, CDC). Crohn's can never be fully cured, even with surgery -- in contrast, ulcerative colitis can be 'cured' with the removal of the colon (colectomy) (IBD, 2013, CDC).

As with lupus, both genetic and environmental factors influence the expression of the illness."The greatest relative risk of IBD disease is found among first-degree relatives, suggesting a strong genetic component" (IBD, 2013, CDC). Having a relative with the disorder increases the likelihood of manifesting the condition, as does being of Caucasian and Ashkenazi Jewish origin. However, while women suffer more from Crohn's, men suffer more from ulcerative colitis. There is also an environmental component, given that IBD is more common in industrialized nations with white-collar workers and a poor diet may be a possible trigger (IBD, 2013, CDC).

References

Systemic Lupus Erythematous (Lupus). (2013). American College of Rheumatology.

Retrieved:

http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/lupus.asp

IBD. (2013). CDC. Retrieved:

http://www.cdc.gov/ibd/.....