Re: Ulcerative Colitis vs Chrohns

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Based on the following explanation of Crohn's and UC from the

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, I think it would not be

possible to have both diseases. Rather if only the colon is involved

then the diagnosis is UC. If other areas of the gastrointestinal

(GI) tract are involved, then the diagnosis is Crohn's.

http://www.ccfa.org/research/info/aboutuc

" Ulcerative colitis is a chronic (ongoing) disease of the colon, or

large intestine. The disease is marked by inflammation and

ulceration of the colon mucosa', or innermost lining. Tiny open

sores, or ulcers, form on the surface of the lining, where they

bleed and produce pus and mucus. Because the inflammation makes the

colon empty frequently, symptoms typically include diarrhea

(sometimes bloody) and often crampy abdominal pain.

The inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower colon, but

it may also involve the entire colon. When ulcerative colitis

affects only the lowest part of the colon -- the rectum -- it is

called ulcerative proctitis. If the disease affects only the left

side of the colon, it is called limited or distal colitis. If it

involves the entire colon, it is termed pancolitis.

Ulcerative colitis differs from another inflammatory bowel disease

(IBD), Crohn's disease. Crohn's can affect any area of the

gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the small intestine and

colon. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, affects only the

colon. The inflammation involves the entire rectum and extends up

the colon in a continuous manner. There are no areas of normal

intestine between the areas of diseased intestine. In contrast, such

so-called " skip " areas may occur in Crohn's disease. Ulcerative

colitis affects only the innermost lining of the colon, whereas

Crohn's disease can affect the entire thickness of the bowel wall.

Both illnesses do have one strong feature in common. They are marked

by an abnormal response by the body's immune system. The immune

system is composed of various cells and proteins. Normally, these

protect the body from infection. In people with IBD, however, the

immune system reacts inappropriately. Mistaking food, bacteria, and

other materials in the intestine for foreign or invading substances,

it launches an attack. In the process, the body sends white blood

cells into the lining of the intestines, where they produce chronic

inflammation. These cells then generate harmful products that

ultimately lead to ulcerations and bowel injury. When this happens,

the patient experiences the symptoms of IBD.

Neither ulcerative colitis nor Crohn's disease should be confused

with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder that affects the

motility (muscle contractions) of the colon. Sometimes

called " spastic colon, " +or " nervous colitis " IBS is not

characterized by intestinal inflammation. It is, therefore, a much

less serious disease than ulcerative colitis. IBS bears no direct

relationship to either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. "

Hope this helps,

Best regards,

Dave R.

[Guest guest]

I have never heard of someone having both. However -

From http://www.ccfa.org/research/info/aboutcd:

" Because the symptoms of these two illnesses are so similar, it is sometimes

difficult to establish the diagnosis definitively. In fact, approximately 10

percent of colitis cases are unable to be pinpointed as either ulcerative

colitis or Crohn's disease and are called indeterminate colitis. "

Also:

" Although Crohn's disease most commonly affects the end of the small intestine

(the ileum) and the beginning of the large intestine (the colon), it may involve

any part of the GI tract. In ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, the GI

involvement is limited to the colon. In Crohn's disease, all layers of the

intestine may be involved, and there can be normal healthy bowel in between

patches of diseased bowel. In contrast, ulcerative colitis affects only the

superficial layers (the mucosa) of the colon in a more even and continuous

distribution, which starts at the level of the anus. "

Arne

53 - UC 1977, PSC 2000

Alive and (mostly) well in Minnesota

.... Does anyone have any insight on this? Is it possible to have both (Crohns &

UC)?

in Seattle

[Guest guest]

I don't have insight ... but I do know that Suzanne's Doctors have not been clear on whether she has Chrohns or UC. Right now they are sticking with a phrase something like "indeterminate" -- at one point the Doctor said that if she was dx with PSC, that would "confirm" the UC (vs. Chrohn's), however after the dx I asked for clarification and he said he is still considering it indeterminate and that he cannot say for sure that the she will not develop chrohn's in the future. As I write this I am feeling like I have not been a very good advocate because I haven't sought more clarification, but to be honest I have focused so heavily on the PSC that I have probably neglected to learn as much about IBD. That is my new goal now, because that is what we are struggling with more - getting the UC under control - if it is UC ! Anyway - back to the point, I wonder if this person hasn't been told something similar and is interpreting it as her husband having both.

LINDA

Ulcerative Colitis vs Chrohns

I am "mentoring" if you will a co-worker of my wife. Her husband was recently diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis or Chrohns. They are new to the disease and so I am trying to help them through it. She told my wife that her husband has both UC and Chrohns. I have never heard of such a thing as having both...I always thought it was one or the other. I wanted to correct her but before doing so wanted to get my facts straight first. My thought is that being new to the disease she was confused and was more likely told he had one or the other but they did not have a difinitive diagnosis yet. I know sometimes it is hard to distinguish the two. Perhaps he has Crohns but she was confused since chrohns can manifest itself in the large intestine as well. Does anyone have any insight on this? Is it possible to have both? in Seattle

[Guest guest]

Maureen/Others,

Thanks for these additional resources. I will pass them on as well.

In some ways it is hard for me to relate on the UC/Chrohns issue

because my UC has been under such control. I went 10 years with no

medication and no flares prior to my last one 3 years ago and I have

always responded very well to medication. In fact the last flare I

insisted we try getting it under control with prednisone, just using

Asacol and it worked superbly. I know others are not so lucky. When

I do have flares though they are big ones affecting the whole colon

but are quickly brought under control with medication. I definitely

believe that stress negatively impacts UC. When I had my first flare

I was in college, 3000 miles from home, on my own, in the middle of

finals, getting ready for the biggest internship of my life in yet

another city, and taking an extremly heavy class load. I know that

stress absolutely contributed.

Thanks again for the group's input.

in Seattle