About Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn's Disease🔗

Crohn's Disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that may cause abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, persistent diarrhea, vomiting and fever. External symptoms such as skin rashes, arthritis, lethargy, eye inflammation, and decreased focus are often present as well. With Crohn's disease the entire digestive tract can be involved or any portion of it. The relationship with the environment, immunological and bacterial factors are affected in genetically susceptible individuals and as a result the body's immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative colitis involves inflammation of the large intestine only. Symptoms are progressive loosening of stool, generally with blood, cramping abdominal pain, diarrhea (slow or sudden), loss of appetite, weight loss and fatigue. Complications can arise such as anemia, rupture of bowel, severe abdominal bloating and an increased risk of colon cancer.

To help control the symptoms during flare ups it is beneficial to eat smaller meals, reduce greasy and fried foods, limit milk products and restrict high fibre foods. IBD appears more often in the developed world and tends to start in the teens and early twenties although it can appear anytime. There is no known pharmaceutical or surgical cure for Crohn's disease whereas the large intestine can be surgically removed and hence "cured" of ulcerative colitis. Treatment options are restricted to controlling symptoms, maintaining remission, and preventing relapse.