Environmental role in IBD

This is available full text right now, and is a good recent review.

journals.lww.com/ibdjournal/Fulltext/2017/09000/Inflammatory_Bowel_Diseases___Review_of_Known.6.aspx said...
Abstract: Inflammatory bowel diseases consisting of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to genetic susceptibility and disturbances of the microbiome, environmental exposures forming the exposome play an important role. Starting at birth, the cumulative effect of different environmental exposures combined with a predetermined genetic susceptibility is thought to cause inflammatory bowel disease. All these environmental factors are part of a Western lifestyle, suiting the high incidence rates in Europe and the United States. Whereas receiving breastfeeding, evidence of a Helicobacter pylori infection and vitamin D are important protective factors in Crohn's disease as well as ulcerative colitis, increased hygiene, experiencing a bacterial gastroenteritis in the past, urban living surroundings, air pollution, the use of antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and oral contraceptives are likely to be the most important risk factors for both diseases. Current cigarette smoking yields a divergent effect by protecting against ulcerative colitis but increasing risk of Crohn's disease, whereas former smoking increases chances of both diseases. This review gives a clear overview of the current state of knowledge concerning the exposome. Future studies should focus on measuring this exposome yielding the possibility of combining all involved factors to one exposome risk score and our knowledge on genetic susceptibility.

In addition to genetic predisposition, starting at birth....one is already at risk.
The when isnt determined. The knowledge won't change it.
A good article. Thanks DB
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FROM THE ARTICLE:
I can't access it at the moment myself, not sure if it will be available again or not, so this sort of summarizes it for anyone curious.

PROTECTIVE FACTORS (in Crohn's and UC)

* Receiving breastfeeding,

* Evidence of a Helicobacter pylori infection and

* Vitamin D



RISK FACTORS (in addition to genetic predisposition):

* Increased hygiene

* Experiencing a bacterial gastroenteritis in the past

* Urban living surroundings

* Air pollution

* The use of antibiotics

* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and

* Oral contraceptives

(These are likely to be the most important risk factors for both diseases. Current cigarette smoking yields a divergent effect by protecting against ulcerative colitis but increasing risk of Crohn's disease, whereas former smoking increases chances of both diseases.)

Based on all these factors, I can't see anyway I could have prevented my UC. I have many of the genetic markers for it (based on Prometheus IBD test) . We had a very robust and dirty childhood, always outdoors playing with snakes and crawfish......not may antibiotics or any other risks.

The only two places I can see a problem for me here is my vitamin D levels have been proven to be quite low and I did quit smoking a year before my diagnosis.....I guess that created my perfect storm? interesting to see these laid out though.