1.4 million Americans suffer from IBD.

Doctors diagnose about 30,000 new cases each year but they say many more go undetected.

Crohn's disease affects the digestive system from the mouth to the colon.

Ulcerative Colitis is a similar disease that only affects the colon.

Both conditions are the result of overactive white cells.

"These things that are normally there to protect us literally go out of control. So instead of having a certain number of cells you have a whole lot more white cells," said the Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center Dr. Uma Sundaram.

Young people 15 to 35 are most susceptible.

About 20% have a family history of the disease.

"Symptoms can be as simple as having a little bit of indigestion, having some lose bowel movements. Early on as it progresses patients start getting frank diarrhea they become malnourished they are not absorbing a variety of things.. all food groups, vitamins they are simply not absorbing like they should," says Sundaram.

There is no cure for Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis but doctors continue to do research to look for new treatment.

"In the last eight to ten years there have been discoveries of new, very exciting medication that is called Biologicals and what these are are manufactured antibodies," says Sundaram.

Doctors can now diagnose the disease easier with a camera that is the size a pill.

Patients swallow the pill cam just like a vitamin.

On its way down it takes about 50,000 pictures of the entire digestive track helping doctors identify problems faster.

"The sooner we diagnose the better we are at getting it under control so patients can lead a normal life," says Sundaram.

Doctor Sundaram says if you have any of the systems be sure to see a physician.

I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease ten years ago.

I'm taking part in a program right now called "Team Challenge" raising money for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).

The challenge is a half marathon.

Over the next two months you can keep up my training routine.

My special reports will also profile other people living with these disorders.