What is the difference between Crohn's disease and colitis?

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on December 12, 2024
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Crohn's disease is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease, whose cause is currently unclear but may be related to immune mechanisms. Its main symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and poor appetite. A colonoscopy can reveal longitudinal ulcers on the mucosa, distributed in segments. This disease has signs of lifelong recurrence, and currently, there are no specific effective medications, making treatment very challenging. The lesions can develop throughout the entire digestive tract. Chronic colitis primarily presents symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. A colonoscopy can show intestinal mucosal redness, swelling, and erosion. The condition generally responds well to treatment and is relatively milder compared to others.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does Crohn's disease cause swelling of the feet?

Crohn's disease generally does not cause swelling of the feet, but if it causes nutritional disorders, there will be manifestations of swelling of the feet. This is due to hypoproteinemia, which leads to a decrease in the colloid osmotic pressure of the plasma, and the water and fluids in the blood vessels flow out into the tissue fluid, forming swelling in the feet. In addition to foot swelling, there may also be abdominal pain, diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, and fever, and some may affect the liver, joints, or skin. For more noticeable foot swelling, it is appropriate to use diuretics. There is no specific treatment for Crohn's disease; it is mainly treated with medication and surgery to manage its complications and enhance nutritional support. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Can Crohn's disease be seen on a CT scan?

Crohn's disease cannot be determined solely by CT scans. A CT scan can be used to assess the general situation, which should then be combined with personal clinical symptoms, routine stool tests, and ideally, colonoscopy and blood tests to make an accurate diagnosis. Crohn's disease is an idiopathic disease, currently thought to be related to genetic factors, and inevitably linked to individual immune factors and dietary habits. A definitive diagnosis can be made through colonoscopy and pathological examination. Care should be taken to avoid consuming raw, cold, hard, spicy, and irritating foods.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does Crohn's disease hurt?

Crohn's disease can cause abdominal pain, along with symptoms of diarrhea and intestinal obstruction. It often accompanies fever, anemia, and nutritional disorders. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, and its specific causes are not particularly clear. It commonly affects the terminal ileum and the right half of the colon. The disease course is prone to recurrent attacks, so dietary management is important. The principle of eating small frequent meals should be followed, with a focus on light vegetables, while also ensuring nutritional enhancement. It is advisable to avoid spicy, cold, stimulating foods, and those that cause gas, such as leeks, garlic, and bean products. Treatment involves a combination of medication and surgery.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Early symptoms of Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease early in its onset is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and intestinal obstruction. As the condition progresses, it can lead to anemia, nutritional disorders, eye involvement, joint involvement, and liver involvement. It is important to maintain a reasonable daily routine, eating multiple small meals that are high in calories but low in fat, and include a variety of vegetables. During active phases, bed rest should be observed, and a diet high in nutrition but low in fat should be provided, combined with medical and surgical treatments. The symptoms of Crohn's disease are prone to recurrence, and the prognosis is not particularly good. It is essential to actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What to do if Crohn's disease causes a fever?

Extraintestinal manifestations of Crohn's disease include fever or nutritional disorders. When there is a fever, symptomatic fever-reducing treatment should be applied using antipyretic medications. If the body temperature does not exceed 38°C, physical cooling methods can also be used, such as wiping the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, forehead, armpits, and groin with alcohol or a warm towel to dissipate heat physically. It is important to drink plenty of water and consume more vegetables to maintain hydration. Attention should also be given to enhancing nutrition by providing a high-nutrient, low-fat diet, which could include lean meats, eggs, and fish. Strict rest is crucial during the disease flare-ups to avoid excessive fatigue. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor)