Is there a differnce between Ulcerative Colitis and Crohns Disease?
Although ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease cause very similar symptoms they exhibit some distinct differences. Ulcerative colitis causes ulceration and inflammation of the inner lining of the colon and rectum, and very rarely extends into the small intestine. Crohn’s disease effects not only the superficial lining of the intestine, but also extends into the deeper layers of the intestinal wall. Unlike ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease can involve the small intestine and in some instance inflammation of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and appendix. What causes IBD? There are many theories regarding causes of IBD, however, the exact cause of IBD has yet to be proven. The current prevailing theory suggests that IBD occurs secondary to a viral, bacterial, or allergic process that results in the production of antibodies that attack the intestine, thus resulting in inflammation. IBD also exhibits a family or genetic predisposition as 10 to 20 percent of the patients with IBD have a clo
