Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the name given to a group of disorders, which cause the intestines to become inflamed. Although less common than Irritable Bowel Syndrome, it is estimated that more than a half a million adults in the United States suffer from IBD each year. General symptoms tend to “flare-up” periodically, and may include abdominal cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and bleeding from the intestines. The two most well-known types of IBD are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative colitis. Diagnosis by a physician is essential for IBD.
The cause of IBD is still quite a mystery, however, many individuals find some symptom relief through dietary modifications. In particular, research has shown a significant increase in the prevalence of lactose malabsorption among patients with Crohn’s Disease. For this reason many doctors recommend a lactose limited diet to individuals with Crohn’s Disease. For additional information on this topic, check our references below.
References:
- “What is inflammatory bowel disease?”, American Academy of Family Physicians
- “Increased prevalence of lactose malabsorption in Crohn’s disease patients at low risk for lactose malabsorption based on ethnic origin.” By Mishkin B, Yalovsky M, Mishkin S. at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; American Journal of Gastroenterol; 1997 Jul;92(7):1148-53; Study
