The cause of these IBS-like symptoms is unclear, but it has been suggested that changes in the gut-brain axis, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and the gut flora may be partially responsible.While patients of IBD do have an increased risk of colorectal cancer, this is usually caught much earlier than the general population in routine surveillance of the colon by colonoscopy, and therefore patients are much more likely to survive.New evidence suggests that patients with IBD may have an elevated risk of endothelial dysfunction and coronary artery disease.The goal of treatment is toward achieving remission, after which the patient is usually switched to a lighter drug with fewer potential side effects. Every so often, an acute resurgence of the original symptoms may appear; this is known as a "flare-up". Depending on the circumstances, it may go away on its own or require medication. The time between flare-ups may be anywhere from weeks to years, and varies wildly between patients – a few have never experienced a flare-up.Life with IBD can be challenging; however, many with the conditionlead relatively normal lives. IBD carries a psychological burden due to stigmatization of being diagnosed, leading to high levels of anxiety, depression, and a general reduction in the quality of life. Although living with IBD can be difficult, there are numerous resources available to help families navigate the ins and out of IBD, such as the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Epidemiology
IBD resulted in a global total of 51,000 deaths in 2013 and 55,000 deaths in 1990.
The prevalence of hypocholesterolemia in the elderly ranges between 2% to 36%, depending on specific cutoff levels and age range investigated. Alerting physicians to hypocholesterolemia may benefit some of their patients who take cholesterol-lowering drugs and decrease the rate of their emergency room visits. Critical illness
In the setting of critical illness, low cholesterol levels are predictive of clinical deterioration, and are correlated with altered cytokine levels. Causes
Possible causes of low cholesterol are:
statins
hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland
adrenal insufficiency
liver disease
malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestines), such as in celiac disease
malnutrition
abetalipoproteinemia - a rare genetic disease that causes cholesterol readings below 50 mg/dL. It is found mostly in Jewish populations. hypobetalipoproteinemia - a genetic disease that causes cholesterol readings below 50 mg/dL
manganese deficiency
Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome
Marfan syndrome
leukemias and other hematological diseases

Diagnosis
Classification
According to the American Heart Association in 1994, only total cholesterol levels below 160 mg/dL or 4.1 mmol/L are to be classified as "hypocholesterolemia". However, this is not agreed on universally and some put the level lower. References


== External links ==