Colorectal Diseases Non Cancerous Colorectal Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is a general term used to describe two disorders of the gastrointestinal tract for which no specific cause has been found — ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine. In ulcerative colitis, sores (ulcers) develop in the mucosa, or inner lining of the colon or rectum, causing diarrhea, blood, and pus. Inflammation is usually most severe in the sigmoid and rectum and usually diminishes higher in the colon. The disease develops uniformly and consistently until, in some cases, the colon becomes rigid and foreshortened.

For more information on ulcerative colitis, click here to visit the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is inflammation that extends into the deeper layers of the intestinal wall. It occurs most often in the ileum and the cecum (sometimes called the ileocecal region). Crohn's disease can, however, develop in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, including the anus, stomach, esophagus, and even the mouth. It may affect the entire colon, develop as a string of contiguous ulcers in one part of the colon, or develop as multiple scattered clusters of ulcers with healthy tissue in between.

For more information on Crohn's disease, click here to visit the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.