I was diagnosed with IBD, mainly in the rectum where all the inflammation was. Then when they did the biopsies, they found inflamed areas in my left colon but not on camera. They don't know yet whether it is Crohns or UC. What are the main differences. I get cramps and a little pain in my left side but also around my navel, they are shooting pains, plus my stomach bloats out alot. Could this be Crohns?
Crohns or UC?
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The main differences are in the areas affected (UC is just in the colon, Crohn's can be anywhere), and the type of lesions (Crohn's penetrate deeper into the lining of the intestine), and UC affects a continuous patch, Crohn's can dot about. I think Crohn's is more likely to get extra intestinal manifestations (problems elsewhere in the body due to the inflammation).
There doesn't seem to be much difference in the treatment, except some NHS trusts seem to prefer surgery for UC and meds for Crohn's (though 'postcode lottery' comes to mind).
There doesn't seem to be much difference in the treatment, except some NHS trusts seem to prefer surgery for UC and meds for Crohn's (though 'postcode lottery' comes to mind).
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Ulcerative colitis affects the first 3 layers of mucousa in the colon. It is limited to the colon only and is a continous lecions, inflammation and ulcers. UC appears from the rectum and spreads upward. Your symptoms are going to be mainly LLQ pain, bloody diarreah and watery diarreah. This occurs because the inflammation and ulcers make it hard to absorb water. Surgery is said to cure the disease since the diseaed area(colon) is taken out you can also get a j pouch(whereas crohnies can't). However problems can occure after the surgery is done.
Crohns disease(the worse of the two) can affect anywhere fro mouth to anus. There are a few different types of crohns including crohns colitis(where it shows in the colon and mimics UC it is VERY RARE to have crohns disease and UC.) With crohns since it appears in the small intestine have a proble absorbing vitamin D. With crohns you can be constipated or have diarreah depending on where the disease is located and the disease affects multipul layers of the digestive track often leading to fistulea, absess, ect. Surgery is not a cure all for crohns as after surgery th disease can come back often in the area of the surgery site.
as I said it's often considered "better" to have UC though it's still a devestating condition to have. If the disease mimics UC it can lead to a lot of confusion. With me my biopsies have come back crohns positive though my disease mimics UC. It's also possible that down the road your diagnosis will change(this often occurs after you've had surgery and then the disease re-presents itsself or you begin getting pouchitis ect).
I beleive that about covers it, if you have any questions just let me know.
Crohns disease(the worse of the two) can affect anywhere fro mouth to anus. There are a few different types of crohns including crohns colitis(where it shows in the colon and mimics UC it is VERY RARE to have crohns disease and UC.) With crohns since it appears in the small intestine have a proble absorbing vitamin D. With crohns you can be constipated or have diarreah depending on where the disease is located and the disease affects multipul layers of the digestive track often leading to fistulea, absess, ect. Surgery is not a cure all for crohns as after surgery th disease can come back often in the area of the surgery site.
as I said it's often considered "better" to have UC though it's still a devestating condition to have. If the disease mimics UC it can lead to a lot of confusion. With me my biopsies have come back crohns positive though my disease mimics UC. It's also possible that down the road your diagnosis will change(this often occurs after you've had surgery and then the disease re-presents itsself or you begin getting pouchitis ect).
I beleive that about covers it, if you have any questions just let me know.
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