Environmental risk factors for inflammatory bowel disease
Noreen Singh, Çharles N. Bernstein
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, progressive immune-mediated inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Environmental risk factors play a role in developing either type of IBD, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; although the exact mechanism is still unknown. Herein, we review environmental risks from early life exposures, lifestyle and hygiene, vaccinations, surgeries, exposure to drugs and gastrointestinal pathogens that may increase the risk of developing IBD.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineInflammatory bowel diseaseUlcerative colitisDiseaseGastrointestinal tractHygiene hypothesisCrohn's diseaseInflammatory Bowel DiseasesImmunologyGastroenterologyInternal medicineInflammatory Bowel DiseaseVitamin D Research StudiesClimate Change and Health Impacts