IBD Overview
Affecting as many as 1.4 million Americans, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are
a group of inflammatory conditions of the intestines. The two most common forms
of IBD, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause chronic inflammation of the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract; this organ is responsible for digesting food, absorbing
nutrients, and eliminating waste.
The Gastrointestinal System
Inflammation impairs the ability of affected GI organs to function properly, leading
to symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, rectal bleeding,
and fatigue. With both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, patients go through
periods of being symptom-free (remission) alternating with periods of having active
disease symptoms (flare).
IBD symptoms that can be common across both diseases include abdominal cramping,
diarrhea, fever, and weight loss. The key difference between Crohn’s disease and
ulcerative colitis is the location of the symptoms. Ulcerative colitis exclusively
affects the colon and the rectum, while Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the
GI tract, from the mouth to the anus.
Comparing Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
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Ulcerative Colitis
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Crohn’s Disease
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Condition type
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Chronic, long-term
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Chronic, long-term
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Location of Inflammation
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Exclusively the colon and rectum
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Any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus
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Symptoms
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Include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, weight loss
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Include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, weight loss
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Complications
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Include perforated bowel, toxic megacolon, malnutrition
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Include fistulas, abscesses, strictures, malnutrition
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