Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week is observed each year from December 1 through December 7. It is designed to shed light on the challenges faced by people who suffer from these illnesses. Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract, while ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition limited to the colon or large intestine. But both disorders are classified as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) which can cause severe cramping, debilitating discomfort, unintentional weight loss and other life-disrupting symptoms.
Although Crohn’s and colitis are life-long diseases, symptoms can be managed with medical treatment and tips. Learning as much as possible about these illnesses can help patients to improve their overall health.
According to the latest figures, IBD affects an estimated 1.6 million Americans. In fact, there are more than 70,000 new cases of IBD in the United States each year.