Inflammatory bowel disease is caused by inappropriate activation of the immune system in response to normal gut bacteria. The two main types are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and often involves transmural inflammation. Ulcerative colitis only involves the colon and rectum in a continuous manner. Both have a genetic component and involve defects in the epithelial barrier and immune response to gut microbiota. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.