Crohn Colitis

Crohn's colitis

        Crohn's disease can affect the entire digestive tract from mouth to anus. The inflammation can cross all the layers of affected tissue from inside to outside. It is manifested by inflammation of segments of the digestive tract, interspersed with bands of tissue (giving a cobblestone appearance). Patients are faced with continuous abdominal pain and moderate period of remission during acute flare-ups. The surgery is sometimes necessary to relieve patients who do not respond to medication and other treatments. However, surgery does not cure in Crohn's disease.

        The disease progresses by bursts of variable intensity and often spontaneously regressive. Complications are frequent, and may require multiple surgeries: bowel obstruction, intestinal fistula, intestinal perforation, fistulas (openings) in the skin or intra-abdominal organs and anorectal complications (fissures, abscesses). Recurrence after surgery is a major complication. It can occur many years after surgery.

Ulcerative Colitis

        Ulcerative colitis affects the colon and usually begins in the rectum, then spreading to the cecum. The inflammation usually affects the lining of the colon. The inflammation affects the entire colon continuously without fragmentation. During periods of remission, patients may not feel any abdominal pain. During a flare, the pain tends to be intermittent and coincid with the need to go to the bathroom. Problems in the perineal region are uncommon. Surgery may be indicated. If we make a complete resection of the colon, the patient is permanently cured of UC.

        Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis exhibit similar symptoms. Patients infected with either disease suffer:

• Abdominal pain, cramps;
• Diarrhea (we note the presence of blood in the stool in the case of a ulcerative colitis);
• Nausea and vomiting;
• A decrease in appetite and weight loss;
• Fever;
• Anemia;
• Fatigue.

What are the causes of inflamatory bowel disease

        This question remains unanswered. In short, the mystery remains unsolved. The cause of IBD is unknown. The researchers and the medical community are working hard to find the answer, but we still do not know the real cause of these diseases that affect a lot of people. That does not mean there is no response. In reality, it seems that IBD develops in genetically predisposed individuals.