A risk factor is something that raises the chances of getting a health problem. A person can get inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with or without the ones listed below. The chances of getting IBD are greater in people who have many.
Things that may raise the risk are:
Genetics
Having other family members with IBD raises the risk of a person getting it themselves.
Smoking
Smoking raises the risk of Crohn disease, but seems to lower the risk of ulcerative colitis. Former smokers are at greater risk than nonsmokers.
Diet
Diets that are high in fat, sugar, and meat may raise the risk of IBD.
References
Crohn disease in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/crohn-disease-in-adults. Accessed April 25, 2022.
Ulcerative colitis in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/ulcerative-colitis-in-adults. Accessed April 25, 2022.
What is Crohn's disease? Crohn's & Colitis Foundation website. Available at: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/what-is-crohns-disease. Accessed April 25, 2022.
What is Ulcerative Colitis? Crohn's & Colitis Foundation website. Available at: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/what-is-ulcerative-colitis. Accessed April 25, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review BoardDaniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
- Review Date: 11/2021
- Update Date: 04/25/2022