CROHN'S DISEASE AND ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Yesterday's post talked about IBD and mentioned two of the main diseases that fall under the IBD umbrella. Today's post will explain what those two diseases are and the differences between the two.

Crohn's Disease: 

• Inflammation occurs anywhere in the GI tract from the mouth to the anus. However, it often strikes the small intestine and beginning of the colon
• May cause intestinal thickening and scarring
• Damage is patchy with normal areas between patches of diseased intestine
• Inflammation may reach through multiple layers of the GI tract walls and out to other organs (fistula)

Ulcerative Colitis:

• Inflammation occurs in the colon (large intestine) and rectum
• Causes tiny open sores (ulcers) that produce pus, mucus and blood, which may appear in the stool
• Damaged area is continuous, usually starting at the rectum and spreading higher into the colon
• Inflammation affects only the innermost lining of the colon

If you have symptoms of either disease, I encourage you to see your doctor and get started on treatments right away.

WHAT IS IBD?

 IBD is an abbreviation for Irritable Bowel Disease. IBD is an umbrella term for conditions that affect the   GI (gastrointestinal) tract. Unfortunately, many of these conditions, especially left untreated may increase the risk of colon cancer. The two main conditions under the IBD umbrella are Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Following is a list of symptoms that the two above conditions commonly share. If you are having any of these symptoms on a regular basis, I suggest you see your doctor. There are treatments available that can be very helpful.

• Persistent diarrhea
• Rectal bleeding/bloody stools
• Loss of appetite/weight loss that is unintentional
• Urgent need to move bowels or the feeling of incomplete bowel movements
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Loss of energy
• Low-grade fever

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