Crohn's and Colitis
The term Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) represents two diseases: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Both conditions involve inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that can cause weight loss, abdominal pain, bleeding and diarrhea. Frequently, IBD presents during adolescence, but people of any age can be afflicted. The exact cause of IBD is not known, but there are definite genetic and environmental factors.
In ulcerative colitis (UC), inflammation is limited to the colon and rectum. Patients often complain of diarrhea and passing blood and mucus in their stool. UC is diagnosed with a colonoscopy.
Treatment for ulcerative colitis includes medications given by mouth or by suppository/enema to control the inflammation. For more aggressive disease, treatment involves the use of steroids that are given by mouth or intravenously while in the hospital.
In contrast to ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, mouth to anus. Patients may complain of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. In order to diagnose Crohn’s disease (and distinguish between ulcerative colitis or even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)), patients may require blood tests, colonoscopy, and/or barium X-rays.
Similar to ulcerative colitis, treatment of Crohn’s disease consists of anti-inflammatory medications, sometimes including steroids or other agents. In cases that fail to respond to medications, occasionally surgery is necessary.
