💜 GetYourBellyOut 💜
#GetYourBellyOut provides support, education and advocacy to a global community of people affected by Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis (collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease or ‘IBD’ for short) 🥰🤗 But what is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

LOTS OF PEOPLE CONFUSE IBD WITH IBS BECAUSE THE NAMES SOUND QUITE SIMILAR
Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis are the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and are not to be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

For example, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) does not produce the destructive inflammation found in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Although both share some similar symptoms they are very different illnesses – please be mindful of this and sensitive in your approach when sharing your experiences with others.

IBS – Irritable bowel syndrome is classified as a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which means there is some type of disturbance in bowel function.

IBS can cause discomfort and it can impact your quality of life. In mild cases, IBS symptoms can be managed with dietary changes and stress reduction techniques. But you are more likely here to learn about IBD which is something quite different…

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) = Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis 👍

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) = Something else 🙈

Irritable Bowel Disease = Doesn’t exist 🙃 

ABOUT CROHN’S DISEASE & ULCERATIVE COLITIS

👉 Crohn’s Disease causes inflammation of the digestive system or gut. Crohn’s Disease can affect any part of the gut, though the most common area affected is the end of the ileum (the last part of the small intestine), or the colon.

The areas of inflammation are often patchy with sections of normal gut in between. A patch of inflammation may be small, only a few centimetres, or extend quite a distance along part of the gut. As well as affecting the lining of the bowel, Crohn’s may also go deeper into the bowel wall.

👉 Ulcerative Colitis causes inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the rectum and colon (the large bowel). In Ulcerative Colitis, ulcers develop on the surface of the lining and these may bleed and produce mucus.

The inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower colon, but it may affect the entire colon. If Ulcerative Colitis only affects the rectum, it’s called proctitis, while if it affects the whole colon it may be called total colitis or pancolitis.

⭐️ Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis are chronic illnesses. This means it’s ongoing and life-long, although you may have periods of good health (remission), as well as times when symptoms are more active (relapses or flare-ups).

🙃 IBD can also affect other areas of the body not only the digestive system – these are referred to as ‘extraintestinal manifestations’ (such as the eyes, joints or skin etc) 

A sample of the most frequently experienced symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease are…
PAIN – URGENCY – FATIGUE – CRAMPING – FISTULAS – DIARRHOEA – STRICTURES – CONSTIPATION – PASSING BLOOD – NAUSEA OR VOMITING – MUSUC IN STOOLS – WEIGHT LOSS – FEVERS – ANAEMIA – MOUTH ULCERS – JOINT PAIN – EYE INFLAMMATION – LOSS OF APPETITE

BUT WAIT, THERE ARE OTHER FORMS OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Microscopic Colitis is also a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, just like Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis which you may have heard a little more about.

It too can affect the inner lining of the bowel (also known as the colon) and rectum causing inflammation, but the main difference is this can only be seen when a sample of tissue (biopsy) is taken from your colon and looked at under a microscope.

👉The two main forms of Microscopic Colitis are called Lymphocytic Colitis and Collagenous Colitis.

🌟Lymphocytic Colitis – where the inner lining has more white blood cells (lymphocytes) than usual.

🌟Collagenous Colitis – where the inner lining has a thicker layer of collagen, a protein important in providing structure in the body, than usual. There may also be more white blood cells present.

🔍Although Lymphocytic Colitis and Collagenous Colitis look different under the microscope, symptoms and treatment are the same.

💩Your large bowel is designed to absorb water from leftover waste during digestion which creates solid poop. However, when the colon is affected by Microscopic Colitis, it can’t absorb as much liquid from this waste which can lead to an imbalance of certain chemicals in the gut and mean even more fluid builds up, producing a large volume of watery poop (diarrhoea).

👉The main symptom of Microscopic Colitis is ongoing watery (often non-bloody) diarrhoea. But other symptoms of Microscopic Colitis range from cramping/pain in the tummy area, fatigue, joint pain, bloating or wind and weight loss.

If you are experiencing symptoms of Microscopic Colitis, Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis be sure to have a word with your medical teams – this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace any medical advice you have been given🤗🥰

❤️ In the meantime, you can help us and others living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease by sharing our social media posts to raise awareness, attend our social events and consider making a donation via our website so we can continue providing support, education and advocacy for our global community. Thank you!