Inflammation of the colonic mucosa can be triggered by infection, immune dysregulation, impaired blood supply, drugs or radiation. Diet and lifestyle: High intakes of red meat, emulsifiers and sweets, together with smoking and obesity, are considered modern “Western-style” pro-inflammatory factors. Infection: Salmonella, Shigella, Clostridioides difficile, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Entamoeba histolytica directly invade the epithelium, causing acute diarrhoea and bloody stools. Immune factors: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are autoimmune disorders in which genetically susceptible individuals mount an abnormal T-cell response that continuously attacks the bowel wall. Microbial dysbiosis: Long-term antibiotics and a high-fat, low-fibre diet reduce protective flora and increase... Learn more