Ulcerative Colitis and Crohns Disease

What is Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases)?

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease are serious diseases associated with an array of complications if not treated and managed properly. As a leading gastroenterology practice in Katy, TX, Texas Center For Digestive Health provides individualized care plans to help patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease to reduce their symptoms, avoid complications and improve their overall health.

The term “Inflammatory Bowel Diseases” encompasses two distinctive diseases: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Both diseases may present with various degrees of abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in stool, fever and weight loss. The underlying cause of these symptoms is inflammation of the lining of various segments of the gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative colitis only affects the colon (large bowel), whereas Crohn’s disease may affect the colon as well as the small bowel and – occasionally – even the stomach and the mouth. In most patients, Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a chronic, life-long condition with alternating episodes of lack of symptoms (called remissions) and of exacerbation of symptoms (flares). The mainstay treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease is by using medications, some of which may have to be administered intravenously. In some patients, surgery may be necessary for treatment. For details concerning causes, symptoms, and treatment of ulcerative colitis please click on the links to the patient-oriented sites of the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases.  For information concerning Crohn’s disease go the patient-oriented sites of the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Of America.

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What is ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes sores or ulcers to form inside the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. These ulcers can cause bleeding which can become serious. Patients with ulcerative colitis require ongoing management to keep their condition under control and to prevent more serious complications from developing.

What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

People with ulcerative colitis often experience symptoms like:

  • abdominal cramps

  • diarrhea

  • bloody stools

  • rectal bleeding or pain

  • hemorrhaging (very heavy and uncontrolled bleeding) from the bowel, which can sometimes be life-threatening

  • increased urgency to move the bowels

  • problems having a bowel movement

  • unintentional weight loss

  • anemia (due to bleeding)

  • fatigue

Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the disease and the location of the inflammation. Often, symptoms become worse over time, and many people have periods of remission when no noticeable symptoms are present.

What causes ulcerative colitis?

The underlying cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, but researchers believe it may be caused by problems with the way the immune system functions. People with a family history of the disease are also more likely to have it themselves.