Inflammatory Bowel Disease that is difficult to differentiate - Chorn's Disease VS Ulcerative Colitis

Do you often experience weeks-long pain? Do you frequently feel easily fatigued, with weight loss, and often experience diarrhea? It could be a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

 

There are two types of inflammatory bowel diseases: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Both share many symptoms, including prolonged inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. However, there are some key differences between these two diseases.

 

Symptoms that may appear in both diseases include:

 

• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Watery stools/diarrhea
• Constipation
• Rectal bleeding
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Women may experience menstrual problems.

 

You don't have to experience all these symptoms. They can come and go, alternating between flares (when symptoms worsen) and remission (when symptoms subside or stop altogether).

 

Both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are often diagnosed in young and productive individuals, though they can occur at any age and are often linked to genetic issues.

 

Distinguishing Symptoms:

 

There are three key differences between these cases:

 

1. Inflammation location:

 

   Ulcerative colitis usually affects only the large intestine, while Crohn's disease can cause inflammation anywhere in the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.

 

2. Intestinal examinations:

 

   The colonoscopy is the examination used to differentiate these cases. In Crohn's disease, there are usually healthy areas between the inflamed sections, whereas in ulcerative colitis, no healthy areas are found within the inflamed parts.

 

3. Affected layers of the intestine:

 

   Crohn's disease typically impacts the entire digestive tract, with symptoms such as mouth sores between the gums and lower lip, or along the side or underside of the tongue. It can also cause anal fissures, abscesses, infections, or narrowing.

 

Diagnosis Determination:

 

Because the main difference between these conditions revolves around the location of inflammation in the digestive system, the best way for a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis is through supportive examinations, including:

 

• Endoscopy: a small camera inserted into the digestive tract to view inflamed areas.
• Contrast abdominal X-rays
• CT scans and MRE
• Stool and blood tests

 

Preventing Inflammation:

 

There's no foolproof way to prevent inflammatory bowel disease, but some lifestyle changes toward a healthier direction can help reduce the risk and alleviate symptoms:

 

• Quit smoking.
• Adopt a healthy diet, maintaining stomach health with high-fiber foods.
• Exercise regularly.
• Manage stress properly.

 

If you experience the above symptoms, don't hesitate to get yourself checked at Hermina Bogor Hospital. We offer specialized services from internal medicine specialists to digestive disease doctors.