Ulcerative Colitis vs Crohn's Disease: How They Differ

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two of the main types of inflammatory bowel disease.

While both have an impact on the intestine, they affect the bowel in slightly different ways. Treatment depends on the type of IBD you have, making an accurate diagnosis crucial.

M. Rodwan Hiba, MD and the team at Premier Gastroenterology in Brooksville, Florida, specialize in diagnosing and treating a full range of conditions that affect the digestive system, including inflammatory bowel diseases. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic digestive diseases that can cause debilitating symptoms. However, comprehensive treatment that often includes diet and lifestyle changes helps to successfully manage symptoms and reduce the impact of IBD on your daily life. 

Inflammatory bowel disease overview

Inflammatory bowel disease refers to a group of conditions that cause parts of the digestive system to become inflamed and painful. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are two of the most common types of IBD. Over time, the ongoing inflammation can cause a host of symptoms that come and go in episodes (flares).

The chronic inflammation of IBD can lead to problems absorbing nutrients, leading to nutrient deficiencies and other health issues. When you have IBD, you need a digestive specialist who understands how to manage IBD to reduce complications and help you keep your digestive system as healthy as possible.

Similarities of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

We don't know what causes each condition, but we do know that in both, environmental, hereditary, and immune factors seem to be involved.

Both digestive diseases are more common in teenagers and young adults and affect men and women equally. The inflammation seen in Crohn's and UC symptoms can sometimes spread to other parts of the body, causing symptoms to appear in places including the eyes, skin, and joints.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease cause similar symptoms. The following are common IBD symptoms associated with both conditions:

• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Rectal bleeding
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Appetite loss
• Bowel urgency

The goal of treatment is to reduce the intensity and frequency of flares.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis differences

Crohn’s disease causes ongoing GI inflammation that can impact any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. However, it most commonly affects the end of the small intestine (ileum) where it links to the beginning of the colon. With Crohn’s, the intestines contain healthy and inflamed sections.

Ulcerative colitis is limited to the large intestine (colon), and symptoms often vary from person to person, depending largely on the part of the colon that’s affected and the severity of the inflammation. It affects the innermost lining of the colon and is progressive, which means it will change over time in your body. 

In some cases, an inflammatory bowel disease will exhibit features of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. This is called indeterminate colitis.

Treating IBD

When you choose Premier Gastroenterology, Dr. Hiba creates an individualized treatment plan based on your diagnosis, current health status, and the frequency and severity of your symptoms, as well as the type of symptoms that affect you. 

There isn’t a single treatment for IBD that works for everyone. Instead, we use various tools to manage your flares and calm the immune system. Your treatment may include:

• Anti-inflammatory medication to minimize inflammation
• Biologic medication to target the immune system
• Corticosteroids, which have powerful anti-inflammatory and immune-suppression qualities

Other medications treat symptoms that occur during acute flares. For example, anti-diarrhea medication controls diarrhea. Making certain diet and lifestyle changes during flares can help ease symptoms. 

Stress is a well-known trigger for IBD flares. Managing your stress is an important part of controlling IBD. Likewise, learning which foods to avoid during flares can provide some relief. Fatty foods, spicy foods, and caffeinated beverages can worsen IBD symptoms. 

The Premier Gastroenterology team is here to support you every step of the way on your journey to managing your IBD. We have the skills and expertise to help you reign in IBD symptoms. If you’re struggling with IBD, give our office a call or send us a message to schedule a visit with Dr. Hiba. To keep you well connected to top-quality care, we offer in-person and telehealth appointments.