What is Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease primarily affects the small intestines and the commencement of the large intestine or the colon, although it can occur anywhere in your digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.

The condition causes inflammation more profound into the layers of the bowel wall. It may engulf patches of healthy tissue between inflamed areas and hence lead to complications such as fistulas, strictures, or abscesses.

Symptoms of Crohn’s disease include

• Abdominal pain: Often in the lower right side.
• Diarrhea: Sometimes bloody.
• Weight loss: Due to the failure of absorption of nutrients.
• Fatigue: Tiredness or weak feeling, mostly.

Crohn’s disease can also affect other parts of the body, such as joints, skin, eyes, and liver.

Colitis (Ulcerative Colitis)

While the term “colitis” is referring specifically to ulcerative colitis, it is confined only to the colon and rectum. Unlike Crohn’s disease, which may involve multiple areas and layers of the digestive tract in ulcerative colitis, there is inflammation of only the inner lining of the colon and rectum.

This continuous inflammation usually starts from the rectum, going upwards through the colon in a constant pattern.

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis Include

• Diarrhea: Frequent with blood or pus.
• Abdominal pain: Cramping and discomfort.
• Urgency: When there is a sudden urge, recurrent necessity to have a bowel movement.
• Weight loss: This results from loss of appetite and poor absorption.

In severe cases, ulcerative colitis may result in an increased risk of colon cancer. This is especially true with chronic inflammation.

What’s the Difference Between Crohn’s Disease and Colitis?

• Location of Inflammation: Considering inflammation, Crohn’s disease might affect any area in the digestive tract; on the other hand, ulcerative colitis has shown its location in the large intestine, mainly the colon and anus.
• Pattern of Inflammation: Crohn’s causes patchy inflammation with healthy tissue in between, whereas ulcerative colitis entails continued inflammation right from the rectum.
• Complications: Crohn’s disease potentially causes more complications, such as fistulas and strictures, while ulcerative colitis is linked to upping the risk of colon cancer.

Both are medical conditions that require management and are very variable in terms of severity and symptoms from one individual to another. The aims of treatment are to reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and enhance the quality of life with medications, diet changes, and sometimes surgery.

Dr. Kailash Mishra
Director & Gastroenterologist Consultant
Prime Gastro Liver Clinic