Crohn’s And Colitis Awareness Week
Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week promotes awareness of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Running from December 1 through December 7, medical professionals and organizations, such as the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, work to raise awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
An estimated 2.4 to 3.1 million people in the U.S. have an IBD, and the most common IBDs are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Individuals with these diseases experience digestive issues that can be painful and disrupt their lives.
As of 2018, IBD health care costs in the U.S. had reached $8.1 billion annually, and the number of those in the U.S. affected by IBDs is on the rise, contributing to rising costs. Individuals can use Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week as a reminder to make a doctor’s appointment to discuss any symptoms or concerns about their digestive health, and to schedule a non-invasive CT scan to get answers.
Book Your Non-Invasive Scan 702-637-2062
Understanding Crohn’s Disease And Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s disease and colitis share several symptoms, including the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Cramping
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Weight loss
One of the key distinctions between Crohn’s disease and colitis is the parts of the digestive system impacted. Ulcerative colitis affects parts of the large intestine. Crohn’s disease can impact your entire digestive tract. In colitis, the inflamed areas are continuous, whereas those in Crohn’s disease are not.
Both Crohn’s disease and colitis can significantly impact your quality of life. Experiencing abdominal pain, cramps, fatigue, and fever can interfere with your ability to work and prevent you from enjoying your favorite activities. The toll often extends beyond physical pain and inconvenience; suffering with the symptoms of Crohn’s disease and colitis can take a toll on your mental health, causing anxiety and stress. Those living with chronic symptoms may also experience social isolation.
Symptoms And Risk Factors
Experiencing the symptoms of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis is often the first indication that you have one of these IBDs.
Common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include the following:
- Abscesses around the anal canal
- Cramps
- Chronic diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Mouth ulcers
- Stomach pain
- Weight loss
Common symptoms of colitis include the following:
- Blood in the stool
- Cramping
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Rectal pain
- Sense of urgency to pass stool
- Stomach pain
- Weight loss
Risk Factors
Risk factors for Crohn’s disease include the following:
- Age
- Appendectomy
- Environment
- Genetics
- Lack of exercise
- Lack of fiber in the diet
- Smoking
- Stress
- Vitamin D deficiency
Risk factors for colitis include the following:
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Genetics
- Race
Importance Of Early Detection
Early detection allows for prompt treatment, which can keep you from experiencing complications of these IBDs and improve your quality of life. Both Crohn’s disease and colitis increase the risk of developing colon cancer. Other potential complications of Crohn’s disease include the following:
- Anal fissures
- Anemia
- Blood clots
- Bowel obstructions
- Fistulas
- Malnutrition
Complications of colitis include the following:
- Bone loss
- Eye, joint, and skin inflammation
- Risk of blood clots
- Severe bleeding
- Toxic megacolon
Importance Of Early Support And Awareness
Early detection allows you to get prompt treatment that helps prevent complications, such as blood clots and toxic megacolon, which can be fatal. In addition to improving your quality of life, preventing permanent damage to your digestive system, and eliminating the need for costly medical treatments, early detection can save your life.
Proactive monitoring involves regularly monitoring symptoms and treatment effectiveness. Investing in proactive monitoring can help manage chronic inflammation and prevent people with Crohn’s disease and colitis from developing other symptoms. Investing in proactive care also helps you avoid costly medical treatments from complications of these diseases, such as colon cancer.
The stigma surrounding digestive diseases can cause people with symptoms to experience embarrassment and shame. By raising awareness, Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week reduces misinformation and helps foster support for those with these conditions. Raising awareness can also lead to early diagnosis, helping prevent complications that affect your physical and mental health, allowing you to get effective treatment and maintain your quality of life.
Resources And Support At The Preventive Diagnostic Center
Preventative Diagnostic Center performs non-invasive CT scans and virtual colonoscopies. You may be wondering, “What does a CT scan see?” CT scans show the location and extent of inflammation in the small and large intestines, while virtual colonoscopies provide a clear view of the colon. The images can then be used to diagnose IBDs. CT scans can also reveal some complications, such as fistulas. This information can help doctors determine the best treatments.
A CT scan or virtual colonoscopy may be included in a preventative health checkup if you’re at risk of developing Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Preventative Diagnostic Center provides detailed information about scan results, which can be used to receive a formal diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Medical professionals will recommend lifestyle changes and treatments to minimize the risks of complications and manage symptoms.
For those already receiving treatment, CT scans can help determine whether the treatment is effective.
You can access the expert diagnostic services provided by Preventative Diagnostic Center by contacting us and scheduling an appointment today.
Schedule Your Non-Invasive Scan
Booking diagnostic tests during Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week ensures you get detailed, accurate information about your digestive system’s health. Early detection can help you avoid complications and receive effective treatment, enabling you to maintain your quality of life and avoid the inconveniences and pain of the most severe symptoms.
Contact Preventative Diagnostic Center today to schedule a CT scan or consultation for expert, proactive digestive health care.
