Together We Can Find a Cure For Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
1 in every 150 Canadians are living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis which is the highest of all countries worldwide. Anyone can develop Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis. However, they are usually diagnosed in young adults between the ages of 15 and 30. Children are twice as likely to be diagnosed with Crohn’s as Ulcerative Colitis. There’s no cure, treatment usually involves immune suppressants and medications can be used to treat individual symptoms.
Crohn's Disease can cause extreme weight loss, due to severe stomach pain, several bowel movements, loss of appetite and fatigue.
Photos are taken of committee member Nicole Marques, December 2016, by Hazel Studios.
WHAT ARE CROHN’S AND COLITIS?
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are diseases that inflame the lining of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract and disrupt your body's ability to digest food, absorb nutrition, and eliminate waste in a healthy manner.
As a result, you might have any of the following symptoms:
abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating, fatigue, diarrhea (possibly bloody) and loss of appetite.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes a group of conditions, the two main forms of which are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD also includes indeterminate colitis.
The after effect of a bowel resection surgery.
Photo is taken of committee member Melissarose Cincinnato after bowel surgery in 2010
CROHN'S DISEASE
With Crohn's Disease, inflammation can occur anywhere in the GI tract but is usually present in the lower part of the small bowel and the colon. Patches of inflammation occur between healthy portions of the gut, and can penetrate the intestinal layers from inner to outer lining.
ULCERATIVE COLITIS
Ulcerative Colitis only affects portions of the large intestine, including the rectum and anus and typically only inflames the innermost lining of bowel tissue. It almost always starts at the rectum, extending upwards in a continuous manner through the colon. Ulcerative Colitis can be controlled with medication and, in severe cases, surgically removing the entire large intestine may be considered as a treatment.
Currently, scientists believe that a genetic tendency and a trigger in the environment are combined to set off inflammation in the gut. Instead of being dampened down, the immune system then continues to run amok. The chronic (lifelong) process that results can manifest as either Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.
Quick Facts
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is more common in developed countries, urban areas and temperate climates.
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Canada has among the highest rates in the world.
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Crohn’s and Colitis can be diagnosed at any age, but people are more frequently diagnosed before the age of 30.
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Crohn’s Disease has almost doubled in Canadian children under 10 since 1995.
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Males and females are equally affected.
Crohn's Disease means several hospital visits and xrays. It does not only effect the gut, but it can also cause inflammation in the eyes, and throughout the body.
For More Information on Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis, Please Visit