CD - What Is Ulcerative Colitis | United Ostomy Associations of America

Crohn’s Disease 101:
A Complete Overview

Let’s add a bit about what is page is about here. A quick overview of what this section is for.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Chronic inflammation that generally affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

Compared to Crohn’s disease, in ulcerative colitis (UC), the inflammation may be more on the surface of the colon or rectum and does not penetrate the bowel walls.

**need a good diagram for UC here showing where the inflammation is located.**

Complications of Ulcerative Colitis

Toxic Megacolon:
the colon may expand, dilate or distend, which prevents it from eliminating waste from the body. This may eventually result in the colon rupturing and the development of sepsis; it usually requires immediate surgical attention.

Crohn’s Disease vs. Ulcerative Colitis

There is sometimes confusion about distinguishing between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This may be referred to as indeterminate colitis especially if the inflammation and ulcerations are present in the colon and rectum only without the typical penetrating features and skip lesions that Crohn’s patients may have. When Crohn’s is present in the colon, this is referred to as Crohn’s colitis, NOT as someone having both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

As such, in recent years, Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis (and the specific locations the disease presents in) are being referred to as spectrum, or continuum, of inflammatory bowel diseases, rather than two separate diseases. Doctors focus more on the location of the disease and how it is presenting rather than categorizing as specifically Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis.

Crohn’s Disease 101:
A Complete Overview

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Complications of Ulcerative Colitis

Crohn’s Disease vs. Ulcerative Colitis

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Crohn’s Disease 101: A Complete Overview

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Contact Us

Get Involved

Latest News:

Crohn’s Disease 101:
A Complete Overview