Inflammatory bowel disease, also known as IBD, is a well-known disease associated with the inflammation of tissues in the human digestive tract. The human digestive system normally consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus. There are two types of inflammatory bowel disease, namely ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Ulcerative colitis is the most common form of inflammatory bowel disease, in which the inflammation and ulceration occurs along the lining of the colon, particularly in the colon and rectum. The main symptoms of ulcerative colitis are abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, usually with stool, and diarrhea, often with blood or pus. The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is still unknown to the world, but they usually think it happened because of a problem with the immune system.
Crohn’s disease is the second type of inflammatory bowel disease that usually results in a deeper degree of inflammation in the lining of the digestive system. This type usually affects the small intestine but can also extend to the large intestine and gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s disease is usually caused by the genetic disorder (which can be passed from parents to children) and an abnormal level of bacteria in the gut. Crohn’s disease has almost the same symptoms as ulcerative colitis such as diarrhea, fever, etc., but inflammation around the anus is usually referred to as Crohn’s disease.
Usually, the difference between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is difficult to determine. Only an experienced doctor can distinguish between these two types and suggest counter-medication for a speedy recovery. But let’s look at the few common differences between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The difference is that Crohn’s disease can cause the inflammation anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, while ulcerative colitis is limited to just the colon or the area around it. A doctor may perform several tests to identify the affected area like CT scan, endoscopy, bioscopy, etc. The most effective way is usually endoscopy, in which a small camera attached to a thin wire is inserted into the body to see the health of the internal tissues within it, including a gastrointestinal track. These tests are of great help to the doctor in identifying the actual condition.