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.