Crohn`s disease and ulcerative colitis

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Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are disorders that cause the intestines to
become inflamed and ulcerated. This is caused by an abnormal response of
the body’s immune system.
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Crohn’s and colitis affect the digestive system and cause intestinal tissue to
become inflamed, form sores and bleed easily. Symptoms include abdominal
pain, cramping, fatigue and diarrhea.
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Crohn’s and colitis are chronic lifelong diseases, and more research is needed
to find their causes and cures.
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Crohn’s and colitis affect nearly 250,000 Canadian men, women and children. Just
over half this number have Crohn’s disease and the rest have ulcerative colitis.
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One in every 150 Canadians have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis and
Canada has among the highest incidence and prevalence rates in the world.
FACT SHEET
CROHN’S DISEASE
AND ULCERATIVE
COLITIS
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
is a national volunteerbased charity whose
PROMISE is to cure Crohn’s
disease and ulcerative
colitis and improve the
lives of children and
adults affected by these
chronic diseases.
Please visit crohnsandcolitis.ca.
Join us on facebook.com/crohnsandcolitis.ca.
CROHN’S DISEASE
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Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth
to the anus, but is usually located in the lower part of the small bowel and the
upper end of the colon.
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Patches of inflammation are interspersed between healthy portions of the
gut, leaving healthy tissue between the diseased areas. The inflammation can
extend through several layers of affected tissue.
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Crohn’s disease cannot be cured by drugs or surgery, although either or both
can help relieve symptoms.
ULCERATIVE COLITIS
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Ulcerative colitis is more localized in nature than Crohn’s, typically the disease
affects only the inner layer of the colon or large bowel. It almost always starts
at the rectum, extending upwards in a continuous manner through the colon.
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Colitis can be controlled with medication and in severe cases can even be
“cured” by surgically removing part or parts of the colon. After such surgery,
waste material may have to be stored and expelled through an external
appliance (colostomy bag).
Follow us on Twitter at @getgutsycanada.
Follow us on Instagram @crohnsandcolitis.
Call us 1-800-387-1479.
Registered Charity
#11883 1486 RR 0001
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is the only national, volunteer-based charity focused on finding the
cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the lives of children and adults
affected by these diseases. We are one of the top two health charity funders of Crohn’s and colitis
research in the world, investing over $94 million in research to date. We are transforming the
lives of people affected by Crohn’s and colitis (the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease)
through research, patient programs, advocacy, and awareness. Our Crohn’s & Colitis – Make it
stop. For life. Campaign will raise $100 million by 2020 to advance our mission.
October 2015