What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s Disease is one type of autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (what I am trying to reverse!) Crohn’s commonly affects the end of the small intestine called the ileum and the beginning of the colon. Lucky for me, I was diagnosed with severe Crohn’s Disease throughout my entire digestive tract. It’s as much fun as it sounds!

Crohn’s Disease falls under the umbrella of IBD, or Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Ulcerative Colitis is another form of IBD but differs from Crohn’s in a few ways. Below are the differences according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA)

Crohn’s Disease
– Can occur anywhere in the digestive tract
– Can affect the entire thickness of the bowel wall
– Inflammation in the intestines can leave normally healthy areas in between diseased areas

Ulcerative Colitis
– Occurs in the large intestine only
– Affects the innermost lining of the colon only
– Does not leave any normal areas of intestine