Since there seem to be so many people out there that just don't know what Crohn's or Colitis is I thought I'd add an informational page to our fundraising blog. All of the info listed is from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America website CCFA I'm just going to touch on the key points so you can get the jist of it. For any other information please refer to CCFA
Currently, there is no medical cure for IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, ie Crohn's & Colitis)
What is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn's disease is a chronic (ongoing) disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although it can involve any area of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, it most commonly affects the small intestine and/or colon.
How is Ulcerative Colitis Different From Crohn's Disease?
The GI involvement of the disease is limited to the colon.
Approximately 10 percent of colitis cases are unable to be pinpointed as either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease and are called indeterminate colitis.
Both illnesses do have one strong feature in common. They are marked by an abnormal response by the body's immune system. The immune system is composed of various cells and proteins. Normally, these protect the body from infection.
In people with Crohn's disease, however, the immune system reacts inappropriately. Researchers believe that the immune system mistakes microbes, such as bacteria that is normally found in the intestines, for foreign or invading substances, and launches an attack. In the process, the body sends white blood cells into the lining of the intestines, where they produce chronic inflammation. These cells then generate harmful products that ultimately lead to ulcerations and bowel injury.
The cause of Crohn's Disease is still unknown.
CCFA-sponsored research has led to progress in the fields of immunology, the study of the body's immune defense system; microbiology, the study of microscopic organisms with the power to cause disease; and genetics. Many scientists now believe that the interaction of an outside agent (such as a virus or bacterium) with the body's immune system may trigger the disease, or that such an agent may cause damage to the intestinal wall, initiating or accelerating the disease process. Through CCFA's continuing research efforts, much more will be learned and a cure will eventually be found.
Symptoms:
Persistent diarrhea
crampy abdominal pain
fever
rectal bleeding
loss of appetite
weight loss
The disease is not always limited to the GI tract; it can also affect the joints, eyes, skin, and liver.
Fatigue is another common complaint.
Children who have Crohn's disease may suffer delayed growth and sexual development.
Some patients may develop tears (fissures) in the lining of the anus, which may cause pain and bleeding, especially during bowel movements. Inflammation may also cause a fistula to develop. A fistula is a tunnel that leads from one loop of intestine to another, or that connects the intestine to the bladder, vagina, or skin. Fistulas occur most commonly around the anal area. If this complication arises, you may notice drainage of mucus, pus, or stool from this opening.
Complications:
obstruction or blockage of the intestine due to swelling and the formation of scar tissue
sores or ulcers within the intestinal tract which can become infected
malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies
Two-thirds to three-quarters of patients with Crohn's disease will require surgery at some point during their lives.
Source: http://ccfa.org/
