Crohns and Colitis Awareness Month

CROHN’S & COLITIS AWARENESS

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract, while Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition limited to the colon or large intestine. Both disorders are classified as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) which can cause severe cramping, debilitating discomfort, unintentional weight loss and other life-disrupting symptoms.

According to the latest figures, IBD affects an estimated 1.6 million Americans. In fact, there are more than 70,000 new cases of IBD in the United States each year. Both Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are on the rise in younger people with those in their teens and early twenties becoming diagnosed. Although Crohn’s and Colitis are life-long diseases, symptoms can be managed with medical treatment and tips. Learning as much as possible about these illnesses can help patients to improve their overall health.