The Costco Connection - January 2014

Crohn’s/colitis
awareness

CROHN’S DISEASE and ulcerative colitis are often grouped together because both are primary forms of inflammatory bowel disease. They share some symptoms—persistent diarrhea, severe abdominal pain and rectal bleeding—but have distinct differences and are treated differently.

An increased risk of colon cancer exists for patients with each of these diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The earlier these diseases are diagnosed, the easier they are to treat.

Crohn’s disease involves chronic inflammation in potentially any part of the gastrointestinal tract, but most frequently affects the end of the small bowel and the beginning of the large bowel. The disease can occur in patches between sections of healthy bowel, and can involve all layers of the intestines. Common complications include intestinal blockage and the development of ulcers (open sores) and fistulas (abnormal connections between tissues or organs caused by ulceration).

Ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon (the large bowel). The inflammation affects the lining of the colon, causing ulcers to develop. The affected area is continuous and evenly distributed instead of the patches seen with Crohn’s. Complications are less frequent than with Crohn’s, but can involve bleeding, rupture of the bowel and severe abdominal bloating.

Treatment for Crohn’s and colitis includes the use of medications, alteration of diet and sometimes surgery. All patients are different, so treatment is situational.

Inflammatory bowel diseases should not be confused with irritable bowel syndrome, a disorder that affects the muscle contractions of the colon and does not involve intestinal inflammation.