FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
Two main types of I.B.D. Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
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What are Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis?
Crohn’s Disease and U.C. are both auto immune diseases. They both cause inflammation of the intestines which can cause diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, weight loss as well as other skin disorders and joint pain and inflammation. They are also known to cause eye problems in some patients as well.
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What is the difference between Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis?
The two diseases share many similarities, and can sometimes be difficult to differentiate. In crohn’s disease, the inflammation can appear anywhere in the digestive tract from the mouth right down to the anus. In UC, the colon (large intestine) is typically the only place that is affected, as well as the anus. In some cases of UC, the ileum may also show signs of inflammation. Inflammation patterns can also be different in crohn's and colitis. In Crohn’s its common to see “patchy” spots of inflammation with diseased free spots in between diseased sections. In colitis we tend to see continuous inflammation throughout the diseased section. During a colonoscopy, biopsies are taken and tested. Granulomas are inflamed cells that become lumped together to form a lesion. These are an indication of Crohn’s disease, rather than colitis. In crohn’s disease the ulcerations (inflammation) tend to be deeper than with UC. With crohn’s disease the inflammation and ulcers may extend to all layers of the bowel wall. In UC, it is only the mucus lining of the large intestine that is affected?
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The FIVE Types of Crohn's Disease-from CCFA.org
Types of Crohn's Disease and Associated Symptoms The symptoms and complications of Crohn's disease differ, depending on what part of the intestinal tract is inflamed. That's why it is important for you to know which part of your intestine is affected by Crohn's disease. Your doctor may also refer to your illness by various names based on the principal area involved. The following are five types of Crohn's disease, together with their presenting symptoms:
•ILEOCOLITIS: The most common form of Crohn's, affecting the ileum and colon. Symptoms include diarrhea and cramping or pain in the right lower part or middle of the abdomen. Often accompanied by significant weight loss.
•ILEITIS Affects the ileum. Symptoms same as ileocolitis. Complications may include fistulas or inflammatory abscess in right lower quadrant of abdomen.
•GASTRODUODENAL Crohn's disease: Affects the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, and nausea. Vomiting may indicate that narrowed segments of the bowel are obstructed.
•JEJUAOILEITIS: Produces patchy areas of inflammation in the jejunum (upper half of the small intestine. Symptoms include abdominal pain (ranging from mild to intense) and cramps following meals, as well as diarrhea. Fistulas may form.
•CROHN'S-COLITIS (Granulomatous): Affects the colon only. Symptoms include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and disease around the anus (abscess, fistulas, ulcers). Skin lesions and joint pains are more common in this form of Crohn's than in others.
This info about the TYPES of Crohn's Disease, was taken from CCFA.org
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Will I need surgery?
This will all depend on the severety of your disease, as well as how well you respond to other treatments, whether they be prescription medications, or lifestyle changes. Aproximately 25 to 40 percent of people with ulcerative colitis will require surgery at some point in their lives Aproximately 65 to 75 percent of people with Crohn's disease will require surgery at some point in their lives
Will my child have IBD because i do?
Not neccesarily, Although it is possible. The cause of IBD is still unknown and they are not 100% sureif it is hereditary. The CCFA website says: "IBD appears to be hereditary, at least in part—passed from one generation to the next through ...genes. In fact, about 20% of people with IBD have a relative with the disease."
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What is a fissure?
An anal fissure is a tear in the rectum. It is most common with crohn’s disease and can cause pain during bowel movements, and bleeding. If the fissure does not heal in a few days, see your doctor. They can prescribe an ointment. Anal fissures can also occur with diahrea and constipation.
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What is a stricture?
Strictures are most common in crohn’s disease. When inflammation is present for a long period of time, it can sometimes cause scarring. The scarring can narrow the bowel because scarred intestine is not as flexible as healthy intestine. These constricted areas are called strictures. The strictures can be mild or severe and can cause stool to back up (blockages) in most serious cases.
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What is a fistula?
A fistula is most common with crohn’s disease. Its when an abnormal tunnel is formed connecting two body cavities. For example, your small intestine through your skin on your abdomen. Or from your rectum to vagina or outside of your body. It can happen when an abscess is constantly filling up with stool or urine, and it cant heal, eventually it breaks through the skin. Aproximately ¼ of people with crohn’s disease will develop fistula’s.
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Ulcerative Colitis
Located in the colon, usually beginning at the rectum and spreading upwards to the cecum Inflammation invades the innermost lining of the intestinal wall only Inflammation is a continuous stretch within the colon with no patchy pattern There is usually no abdominal pain during remission. During acute periods, pain tends to be intermittent and coincidental with bowel movements Perianal problems are not as common Surgery may be necessary and if resection of the colon is done, the patient is effectively “cured” of UC.
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What are Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis?
Crohn’s Disease and U.C. are both auto immune diseases. They both cause inflammation of the intestines which can cause diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, weight loss as well as other skin disorders and joint pain and inflammation. They are also known to cause eye problems in some patients as well.
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What is the difference between Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis?
The two diseases share many similarities, and can sometimes be difficult to differentiate. In crohn’s disease, the inflammation can appear anywhere in the digestive tract from the mouth right down to the anus. In UC, the colon (large intestine) is typically the only place that is affected, as well as the anus. In some cases of UC, the ileum may also show signs of inflammation. Inflammation patterns can also be different in crohn's and colitis. In Crohn’s its common to see “patchy” spots of inflammation with diseased free spots in between diseased sections. In colitis we tend to see continuous inflammation throughout the diseased section. During a colonoscopy, biopsies are taken and tested. Granulomas are inflamed cells that become lumped together to form a lesion. These are an indication of Crohn’s disease, rather than colitis. In crohn’s disease the ulcerations (inflammation) tend to be deeper than with UC. With crohn’s disease the inflammation and ulcers may extend to all layers of the bowel wall. In UC, it is only the mucus lining of the large intestine that is affected?
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The FIVE Types of Crohn's Disease-from CCFA.org
Types of Crohn's Disease and Associated Symptoms The symptoms and complications of Crohn's disease differ, depending on what part of the intestinal tract is inflamed. That's why it is important for you to know which part of your intestine is affected by Crohn's disease. Your doctor may also refer to your illness by various names based on the principal area involved. The following are five types of Crohn's disease, together with their presenting symptoms:
•ILEOCOLITIS: The most common form of Crohn's, affecting the ileum and colon. Symptoms include diarrhea and cramping or pain in the right lower part or middle of the abdomen. Often accompanied by significant weight loss.
•ILEITIS Affects the ileum. Symptoms same as ileocolitis. Complications may include fistulas or inflammatory abscess in right lower quadrant of abdomen.
•GASTRODUODENAL Crohn's disease: Affects the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, and nausea. Vomiting may indicate that narrowed segments of the bowel are obstructed.
•JEJUAOILEITIS: Produces patchy areas of inflammation in the jejunum (upper half of the small intestine. Symptoms include abdominal pain (ranging from mild to intense) and cramps following meals, as well as diarrhea. Fistulas may form.
•CROHN'S-COLITIS (Granulomatous): Affects the colon only. Symptoms include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and disease around the anus (abscess, fistulas, ulcers). Skin lesions and joint pains are more common in this form of Crohn's than in others.
This info about the TYPES of Crohn's Disease, was taken from CCFA.org
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Will I need surgery?
This will all depend on the severety of your disease, as well as how well you respond to other treatments, whether they be prescription medications, or lifestyle changes. Aproximately 25 to 40 percent of people with ulcerative colitis will require surgery at some point in their lives Aproximately 65 to 75 percent of people with Crohn's disease will require surgery at some point in their lives
Will my child have IBD because i do?
Not neccesarily, Although it is possible. The cause of IBD is still unknown and they are not 100% sureif it is hereditary. The CCFA website says: "IBD appears to be hereditary, at least in part—passed from one generation to the next through ...genes. In fact, about 20% of people with IBD have a relative with the disease."
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What is a fissure?
An anal fissure is a tear in the rectum. It is most common with crohn’s disease and can cause pain during bowel movements, and bleeding. If the fissure does not heal in a few days, see your doctor. They can prescribe an ointment. Anal fissures can also occur with diahrea and constipation.
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What is a stricture?
Strictures are most common in crohn’s disease. When inflammation is present for a long period of time, it can sometimes cause scarring. The scarring can narrow the bowel because scarred intestine is not as flexible as healthy intestine. These constricted areas are called strictures. The strictures can be mild or severe and can cause stool to back up (blockages) in most serious cases.
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What is a fistula?
A fistula is most common with crohn’s disease. Its when an abnormal tunnel is formed connecting two body cavities. For example, your small intestine through your skin on your abdomen. Or from your rectum to vagina or outside of your body. It can happen when an abscess is constantly filling up with stool or urine, and it cant heal, eventually it breaks through the skin. Aproximately ¼ of people with crohn’s disease will develop fistula’s.
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Ulcerative Colitis
Located in the colon, usually beginning at the rectum and spreading upwards to the cecum Inflammation invades the innermost lining of the intestinal wall only Inflammation is a continuous stretch within the colon with no patchy pattern There is usually no abdominal pain during remission. During acute periods, pain tends to be intermittent and coincidental with bowel movements Perianal problems are not as common Surgery may be necessary and if resection of the colon is done, the patient is effectively “cured” of UC.