About one out of 100 people in the United States has either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. That is three million Americans who are suffering from one of these inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
If you think you may be one, The Walter and Carole Young Center for Digestive Health Director, Corey A. Siegel, MD, MS, explains the symptoms and signs of these sometimes challenging diseases.
What's the difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?
Both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are IBDs, meaning they cause inflammation somewhere throughout the intestines.
The main difference between the two is where they affect the intestines. Ulcerative colitis only involves the colon. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the GI tract—starting in the mouth and going through the esophagus, stomach, the small intestine, and sometimes the colon.
Another difference is that ulcerative colitis primarily involves the inside lining of the colon, whereas Crohn's disease can affect the intestines deeper down, which can cause more damage over time and which can be concerning.
What does it feel like to have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease?
Patients say some days are fine, while other days leave them frequently running to the bathroom or having abdominal pain. But even on a good day, they can feel worried that a bad day is around the corner. That’s why one of the goals of treatment, Siegel says, is to make patients feel consistently better and have to worry less about what tomorrow brings.
If both Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis are an IBD, what’s the difference between IBD and IBS?
IBD and IBS are very different. IBS is irritable bowel syndrome. It's the most common condition that brings people to a gastroenterologist. It usually shows up as abdominal cramping, some diarrhea, or maybe constipation. With IBS, the “I” stands for irritable because the muscles and nerves squeeze in a way that irritates the intestines.
With IBD, the “I” stands for inflammation. That means somewhere in the intestine are sores or ulcers that are causing symptoms. IBD can lead to damage over time if not treated properly, whereas IBS is more about controlling the symptoms.
Are Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis stress-related?
Stress in general can make you feel worse, which can happen when you have Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. But as you control your stress, your inflammation levels can go down, so make sure you do what you can to manage your stress and anxiety.
Are there different symptoms and ways to treat men and women?
Typically, men and women have similar symptoms and treatment when it comes to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, but there are a few points to keep in mind. For women, doctors want to know if women are interested in getting pregnant and having babies, which they absolutely can do safely, says Siegel. But Crohn's can affect women’s intestines. They might have symptoms, pain, or bleeding from places they would not typically. That could be related to Crohn's disease and they should consult their doctor about it.
Can you tell what's wrong from poop color?
Not exactly, but stool that seems to change color often could indicate a health concern. Is your stool frequently changing from a normal light brown color to dark, black or red, or is the change just occasional? Different colors may mean that nothing has changed other than your diet, but be sure talk to your doctor about it.