Do I Have Crohn's Disease Or Ulcerative Colitis?

You should consult your physician and get checked out if you are trying to figure out whether or not you have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. This article is not meant to substitute medical advice from a licensed physician, but below we will take a look at some of the symptoms for both diseases.

Factors For Differentiating Between Crohn's Disease Or Ulcerative Colitis

Which ever disease you think you have, both can be extremely painful and potentially life threatening. The best thing to do is talk to your physician before making any decisions. In either case the disease can be very elusive and the causes are unknown.

The main difference between Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis is what part of the intestine is affected. In Crohn's disease, either the small or large intestine may be affected. In ulcerative colitis the affected area is usually limited to the large intestine. In extreme cases ulcerative colitis can be treated by removing the colon entirely, although this leaves the recipient with a bag to collect their stool.

Another major difference when determining whether you are affected by Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis is the initial symptoms. Crohn's disease is far more insidious in its onset. There is abdominal pain, weight loss, and a lack of motivation. Rarely is there the same obvious bloody diarrhea as one would find in ulcerative colitis. An acute intestinal obstruction with vomiting or the appearance of a fistulous tract between the intestine and bladder allowing a stool to pass into the urine are usually the signs that will promote a diagnosis of this disease by a doctor.

In addition, the treatment of Crohn's disease versus ulcerative colitis is different. In most cases surgery is not an option, but usually some of the same drugs are used for both diseases. Of those people who elect to have surgery, eighty five percent will have a recurrence in the next three years.

How diet affects the diseases is another major difference. In Crohn's disease diet will play a very important role in how your body reacts, while ulcerative colitis appears to be not affected by diet.

Again if you are at all concerned seek immediate medical attention, and hopefully this has helped you to determine what symptoms and things you need to discuss with your doctor. There is no substitute for the opinion of a medical professional.