disease on. Lots of research has gone into trying to find such an agent – an infection early in life such as measles, for example, or exposure to something that may be toxic to the gut such as cow’s milk protein, perhaps, or even exposure to some childhood immunizations – but specific agents have still not been narrowed down.
..... UC occurs mainly in the large bowel and rectum, and sometimes, in the last part of the small intestine. UC flare-ups usually produce bloody diarrhea, along with pain, as well as inflammatory symptoms such as fever, mucus, and night sweats.
..... UC can also lead to extra-intestinal manifestations, that is, inflammatory problems in parts of the body distant from the bowel. Thus, UC can lead to inflammation in the eye such as in the iris or conjunctiva, as well as arthritis and joint pain, and various skin lesions.
..... In contrast, Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere in the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus, but tends to most affect the small bowel. The main symptom in Crohn’s disease is also diarrhea, but unlike UC, the diarrhea in Crohn’s disease is usually not bloody. Crohn’s disease can also produce inflammatory symptoms (fever, pain, bloating, etc.), and Crohn’s disease can also lead to extra-intestinal manifestations.
Of great importance to anyone battling with IBD is that it’s linked to a host of serious complications. UC, for example, has been linked to a higher risk of bowel cancer, so it’s imperative for someone with UC to have regular checks for bowel cancer.
..... UC and Crohn’s can also lead to serious, life-threatening diarrhea, bowel obstructions, malnutrition, anemia, and a host of problems related to a bowel that just doesn’t work properly. Crohn’s disease leads to a much higher rate of anal fissures (tears in the walls of the anus, and yes, these hurt like hell and are a devil to treat) and fistulas, “tunnels” that connect parts of the bowel to other parts or to the skin.
..... I have to take a paragraph out, however, to make this strong point. Although much of what I just wrote seems to indicate that life can be very tough for IBD sufferers, the many IBD patients I know personally seem to manage their illness very well and are generally as happy and as productive as people |
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