Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a general term that covers two disorders:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC)
- Crohn's disease (CD)
Some evidence suggests that these two diseases are part of a biologic continuum, but at this time they are considered distinct disorders with somewhat different treatment options. The basic distinctions between UC and CD are location and severity. However, as many as 10% of patients with IBD have findings and symptoms that match the criteria for both disorders, at least in the early stages (a situation called indeterminate colitis).
Crohn's Disease. Crohn's disease is an inflammation that extends into the deeper layers of the intestinal wall. It is found most often in the area bridging the small and large intestines, specifically in the ileum and the cecum, sometimes referred to as the ileocecal region. Crohn's disease occurs less frequently in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, including the anus, stomach, esophagus, and even the mouth. It may affect the entire colon or form a string of contiguous ulcers in one part of the colon or develop as multiple scattered clusters of ulcers skipping healthy tissue in between.
 | Click the icon to see an image of Crohn's disease. |
Ulcerative Colitis. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine. Ulcers form in the inner lining, or mucosa, of the colon or rectum, often resulting in diarrhea, blood, and pus. The inflammation is usually most severe in the sigmoid and rectum and typically diminishes higher in the colon. The disease develops uniformly and consistently until, in some cases, the colon becomes rigid and foreshortened. [For more information, see In-Depth Report #69: Ulcerative colitis.]
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