The part of your body that helps break the food you eat into smaller pieces is called the gastrointestinal system. A big part of this system is the bowel (or gut), which turns the food you eat into poop, kind of like a blender turning fruit into a smoothie.

But when someone has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), their guts become sore and swollen. This can cause bellyaches, diarrhea, and sometimes even blood in the poop when going to the bathroom.

Doctors still do not know what makes the gut sick, and there is no cure. But with medicines, healthy foods, fruits, and vegetables, and doctor’s care, people with IBD can feel much better.