Possible Causes And Complications Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise play a significant role in the development of inflammatory bowel disease and related conditions. Approximately thirty different genes have been linked to ulcerative colitis, and there are seventy-one genes associated with Crohn’s disease. However, these genes seem to be turned on or activated by environmental factors more so than genetics. In identical twins, there is a fifty percent chance that one will develop Crohn’s disease if the other has it. If one of the twins develops ulcerative colitis, there is only a six percent chance the other will get it. More research in this area is necessary to truly understand the full effects on inflammatory bowel disease.