Crohn's Disease is characterized by chronic inflammation in one or multiple areas of the gastrointestinal tract. It shares some symptoms with another inflammatory condition: ulcerative colitis. The two diseases are often grouped under the heading 'inflammatory bowel disease'. It is important to understand, however, that the two conditions are different.
1. Ulcerative colitis affects only the mucosal membrane, or inner lining, of the gastrointestinal wall an is limited to the colon.
2. Crohn's Disease affects the full thickness of the gastrointestinal wall and can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus.
A few individuals suffer as single about Crohn's Disease, then go into remission and never experience another flare-up. Others suffer frequent bouts of active disease. Flare-ups can occur following a viral illness such as a head cold, or during times of extreme personal, business, or social stress.
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