What+is+Crohn's+&+Colitis?

**Crohn's **

Crohn's is the inflammation anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, but it is usually located in the lower part of the small bowel and the upper end of the colon. It is a chronic illness (lifelong). People who have Crohn's will experience periods of flare-ups, whent their symptoms are active and other times when their symptoms go into remission. In the United States 1 in every 350 people are diagnosed with this condition in Canada. There's 11.8 new cases per 100 000 each year. Symptoms often include:
 * extreme abdominal pain
 * cramping
 * diarrhea
 * nausea
 * vomitting
 * blood loss
 * lack of energy
 * weight loss

For both males and females, age-specific discharge rates were highest in the 20-24 age group. During a 16-year study period, cause of death data showed 556 deaths directly attributed to Crohn's disease.

There is no cure for Crohn's Disease as of now.

**Ulcerative Colitis **

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) affects the colon (large bowel) and only invades the inner lining of bowel tissue. UC can be controlled with medication and in severe cases, can even be "cured" by surgical removal of the entire large intestine. Like Crohn's, it is a chronic disease, and people who suffer from this disease have acute periods of active symptoms, and other times when their symptoms are absent (remission). Unlike Crohn's, there is usually not any pain during remission. For every 100 000 people there are 14.3 people who suffer from it. The common age-group affected is 20-29 year olds.

Symptoms often inlcude:
 * severe blood loss
 * abdominal pain
 * cramping
 * nausea
 * vomitting
 * decreased apettite
 * weight loss
 * mild fever
 * anemia
 * loss of body fluids

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