1 Hospitals For Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Georgia

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (click for worldwide facilities list): Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a relapsing and remitting condition characterized by chronic inflammation from a cell-mediated immune response in the GI mucosa at various sites in the GI tract, which results in diarrhea and abdominal pain. The precise etiology is unknown, but evidence suggests that the normal intestinal flora trigger an immune reaction in patients with a multifactorial genetic predisposition. No specific environmental, dietary, or infectious causes have been identified. The immune reaction involves the release of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, interleukins, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). IBD treatment involves several classes of drugs: 5‑ASA blocks production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes and has other beneficial effects on the inflammatory cascade. Newer drugs that complex 5‑ASA with other vehicles seem almost equally effective but have fewer adverse effects. Corticosteroids are useful for acute flare-ups of most forms of IBD when 5‑ASA compounds are inadequate. However, corticosteroids are not appropriate for maintenance Immunomodulating drugs are effective long-term and may diminish corticosteroid requirements and maintain remission for years.

http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec02/ch018/ch018a.html

Also known as: IBD