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Difference Between Crohn’s and Colitis

Jun

4

2011

What is the Difference Between Crohn’s and Colitis?

In: Disease Asked By: katrina [385 Blue Star Level]
Answer #1

One of the most vital systems in the human body is the digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal tract. While most of the common diseases affect the normal function of the digestive tract as manifested by diarrhea or constipation, there are serious diseases that are particular to the system per se. Two most commonly encountered digestive tract diseases are Crohn’s disease and Colitis. These diseases are classified as inflammatory bowel diseases, which typically bear similar signs and symptoms, causing confusion and often mistakenly regarded one for the other.

One of the most easily detectable differences between Crohn’s disease and Colitis is the distribution of the affected area in the gastrointestinal tract. While Crohn’s disease affects both the small and large bowel, Colitis only creates injury to the large bowel area.

Since the areas being affected are different, it can be implied that the manifestations are less likely to have variances, despite both having inflamed bowels. Crohn’s can be typified when presence of pain can be detected at the lower right region of the abdomen with minimal or absent bleeding. Colitis, on the contrary, is often acquainted with pain at the lower left region of the abdomen along with bleeding upon defecation.

Another disparity between the two is the factors that precipitate for the diseases to occur or trigger. While Colitis is unlikely to be affected by the habit of smoking, Crohn’s disease has evidently been caused by smoking and is known to worsen the disease when such habit is not put to a halt.

Today, many people are affected by either Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative colitis. But regardless of such fact, it is but vital that every individual be vigilant, conscious and responsible enough to nourish oneself and maintain one’s optimum level of functioning.

Answers Answered By: katrina [385 Blue Star Level]
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