Colitis and Crohn’s Disease

December 1st to 7^th, 2023 is National Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week

Crohn’s disease    

Colitis

This has been a very brief overview of these two conditions. For more information on Crohn’sand Colitis, visit:

Crohn's and Colitis    

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation  

Penn Medicine IBD  

PCHC has trainings, articles and resources on various topics. Please link in regularly to PCHC.

1. What it is: Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can occur anywhere from the mouth to the anus, but typically affects the lower small bowel and upper large bowel. The inflammation is intermittent, not contiguous.
2. Cause: The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, but is believed to be a combination of an autoimmune disease with a genetic component.
   a)   Risk factors: Family history: first degree relative, smoking, high fat diet, certain medications.
3. Symptoms: Stress and certain foods may exacerbate symptoms.
   a)   Diarrhea, often watery
   b)   Abdominal pain/ cramps
   c)   Rectal bleeding
   d)   Urgency
   e)   Nausea, anorexia, weight loss
   f)    Anemia with fatigue
4. Treatment:
   a)   Medications: antidiarrheals, antibiotics for infections, corticosteroids, biologics
   b)   Dietary changes
   c)   Bowel rest: May involve diet modification, a feeding tube or intravenous (IV) feedings
   d)   Surgery: When other treatments are ineffective

1. What it is: Ulcerative colitis affects the large intestine (colon). It is a chronic disease with periods of remission characterized by colonic lesions and swelling.
2. Cause: Viral or parasitic infections, bacterial infections, Crohn’s disease.
3. Risk factors: Abnormal immune response, environmental factors, the microbiome.
4. Symptoms:
   a)   Bloody diarrhea
   b)   Abdominal pain/cramps
   c)   Anemia with fatigue
   d)   Weightloss‍
5. 1.   Treatment:
   a)   Medications: Corticosteroids, biologics,
   b)   Surgery‍