IBD is a general term for a group of chronic inflammatory disorders of unknown cause involving the gastrointestinal tract.

This refers to either of two major diseases - Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.

Symptoms common to both are diarrhea/diarrhoea (often bloody diarrhoea), abdominal pain, weight loss and anorexia.

IBD can be familial and usually presents between childhood and early adulthood.