FAQs
When you’re navigating life with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it can be hard to even know what to ask. These FAQs represent the questions we hear most often. Get answers about Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) here.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Learning about IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, refers to a group of lifelong diseases that cause inflammation in the digestive tract. There are two main types of IBD: Crohn’s disease (CD or Crohn’s) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Each affects the digestive tract. Both are chronic and are considered autoimmune disorders.
If you’d like to learn more about IBD, you’re in the right place.
Learn moreThe symptoms of IBD can be similar to symptoms of other conditions. People with IBD often experience symptoms in waves of flare-ups (when symptoms are active) and remission (period of time in between flare-ups when you experience few to no symptoms). Having some or all of these symptoms does not mean you have IBD; only your healthcare provider can tell you that.
Common symptoms of IBD may include:
- Diarrhea or changes in bowel movements
- Stool with blood or mucus
- Bowel urgency
- Malnutrition
- Mouth sores
- Abdominal pain (or stomach pain or cramping)
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Weight loss
The only way to know you have IBD is to get a diagnosis from a healthcare provider. To diagnose IBD, your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and family medical history. They may perform some tests and refer you to a gastroenterologist, who is a doctor specializing in the digestive system. Below are some of the tests and procedures healthcare providers can use to diagnose and determine the severity of IBD. Specific tests can be ordered based on what your care team feels is appropriate for your individual circumstance.
Testing/procedures might include:
- Blood tests
- Endoscopic procedures and biopsy
- Imaging tests
- Stool tests
These same tests and procedures may be used periodically throughout your IBD management to monitor disease activity and evaluate your response to treatment.
Learn moreThe exact cause of IBD isn’t clear. A person may develop IBD due to the interaction between the genes they inherit from their parents and environmental factors (such as where they live and their lifestyle). Together, these factors could trigger an immune response.
Learn moreIBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, is a different condition from IBD, but it can have similar symptoms. IBS does not cause inflammation or damage to the digestive tract, among other things.
Learn moreLiving with IBD
Management approaches may vary based on which type of IBD you have, but the goal remains the same: to bring your IBD into remission and keep it there. You can partner with your healthcare team to determine the approach that works for you and your symptoms to achieve this goal.
Learn moreThere are all kinds of IBD resources and support available, both from Living with IBD and elsewhere. Living with IBD resources include the Patient Mentor Program for phone-based peer support, the IBD Glossary to better understand IBD terms, and advocacy groups like the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and Bezzy IBD.
Learn more
Crohn’s disease (CD)
Learning about CD
Crohn’s disease (also called CD or Crohn’s) is one of the main types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It’s a lifelong condition and it’s usually progressive. But, with help from your care team, you can manage your symptoms and lead an active life.
With Crohn’s, your immune system attacks the lining of your digestive tract by mistake. It can affect any part of your digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. It commonly impacts the end of the small intestine and beginning of the large intestine.
If you’d like to learn more about CD, you’re in the right place.
Learn moreSome Crohn’s symptoms overlap with other types of IBD, but there are some that are specific. These include diarrhea that typically isn’t bloody, malnutrition, and mouth sores. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about any symptoms that are bothering you.
Common symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea or changes in bowel movements
- Malnutrition
- Mouth sores
- Abdominal pain (or stomach pain or cramping)
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Weight loss
Getting a Crohn’s diagnosis can take time. That’s because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions and there’s no single medical test for it. Your healthcare provider will likely perform a physical exam, ask about your family medical history, and use a combination of testing methods to make a diagnosis.
Testing/procedures may include:
- Blood tests
- Endoscopic procedures and biopsy
- Imaging tests
- Stool tests
These same tests and procedures may be used periodically throughout your CD management to monitor disease activity and evaluate your response to treatment.
Learn moreThe exact cause of CD isn’t clear. You may develop Crohn’s due to the interaction between the genes you inherit from your parents and environmental factors, such as where you live and your lifestyle. Together, these factors could trigger an immune response.
Learn moreLiving with CD
While there’s no cure for Crohn’s, treatment may help reduce and relieve symptoms. Long-term remission may also be possible with appropriate treatment. Treatment options may include medications, lifestyle changes and/or surgery.
Learn moreSince every person is different, there's no single way to manage CD. However, there are some things you can do that may help manage your symptoms outside of or along with medication. These may include paying extra attention to self-care areas like nutrition, exercise, mental health, and more. Partner with your care team to come up with a plan that works for you.
Learn moreThere are all kinds of CD resources and support available, both from Living with IBD and elsewhere. You might check out the Patient Mentor Program for phone-based peer support, our CD Support Guide, and advocacy groups like the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and Bezzy IBD.
Learn more
Ulcerative colitis (UC)
Learning about UC
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the most common type of IBD. It affects the large intestine, which includes the colon and the rectum, causing continuous damage to the entire inner lining. When the lining becomes inflamed, it can create sores or ulcers, which release blood and mucus. It’s possible for UC to get worse over time. But, with help from your care team, you can manage your symptoms and live an active life.
If you’d like to learn more about UC, you’re in the right place.
Learn moreSome UC symptoms overlap with other types of IBD, but there are some that are specific. Bloody diarrhea is more common with UC. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about any symptoms that are bothering you.
Common symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea or changes in bowel movements
- Stool with blood or mucus
- Bowel urgency
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain (or stomach pain or cramping)
- Nausea
- Weight loss
Getting a UC diagnosis can take time. That’s because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions and there’s no single medical test for it. Your healthcare provider will likely perform a physical exam, ask about your family medical history, and use a combination of testing methods to make a diagnosis.
Testing/procedures may include:
- Blood tests
- Endoscopic procedures and biopsy
- Imaging tests
- Stool tests
These same tests and procedures may be used periodically throughout your UC management to monitor disease activity and evaluate your response to treatment.
Learn moreThe exact cause of UC isn’t clear. You may develop UC due to the interaction between the genes you inherit from your parents and environmental factors, such as where you live and your lifestyle. Together, these factors could trigger an immune response.
Learn moreLiving with UC
While there’s no cure for UC, treatment may help reduce and relieve symptoms. Long-term remission may also be possible with appropriate treatment. Treatment options may include medications, lifestyle changes and/or surgery.
Learn moreSince every person is different, there’s no single way to manage UC. However, there are some things you can do that may help manage your symptoms outside of or along with medication. These may include paying extra attention to self-care areas like nutrition, exercise, mental health, and more. Partner with your care team to come up with a plan that works for you.
Learn moreThere are all kinds of UC resources and support available, both from Living with IBD and elsewhere. Living with IBD resources include the Patient Mentor Program for phone-based peer support, the UC Support Guide, and advocacy groups like the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and Bezzy IBD.
Learn more
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