Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly including Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis. These conditions involve ongoing immune-mediated inflammation of the digestive tract, which can lead to significant gastrointestinal symptoms and systemic effects. In an integrative medicine model, IBD is viewed not simply as localized gut inflammation, but as a reflection of immune dysregulation, gut barrier dysfunction, and whole-body imbalance.
Rather than focusing solely on suppressing inflammation, an integrative approach combines conventional medical care with evidence-based complementary therapies to identify and address contributing factors. These may include gut microbiome imbalance, intestinal permeability, chronic inflammation, environmental triggers, nutrient deficiencies, and stress-related immune activation.
Symptoms can vary in severity and often occur in cycles of flare-ups and remission.
