Crohn’s Vs Colitis?
Which is Which?
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are both forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affect millions of people worldwide. Despite their prevalence, these chronic conditions often go unnoticed or misunderstood. Raising awareness is crucial for both improving patient outcomes and fostering a more supportive community. Whether you have been diagnosed with an IBD condition or know someone that has, it is likely you have experienced first hand how much this can impact daily life, especially socially.
Awareness is the First Step Toward Positive Change
Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation, pain, and sometimes, life-threatening complications. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, primarily impacts the colon and rectum. Both conditions are unpredictable, with flare-ups followed by periods of remission, making day-to-day life a constant balancing act.
Common Symptoms of Crohn’s and Colitis
Symptoms of both diseases include:
- Fecal incontinence (commonly due to anal sphincter muscle fatigue)
- Fecal urgency
- Night time soiling
- Urinary incontinence
- Abdominal pain
- Hip and core weakness
- Pelvic pain
- Weight Loss
- Fatigue
Long term effects of both include osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones) and sarcopenia (loss of muscle strength and mass). It should be noted that both osteoporosis and sarcopenia occur due to the digestive systems ability to absorb nutrients through the gut wall.
Is there a cure?
Currently, there is no cure for Crohn’s or colitis, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms, reducing inflammation, and improving quality of life. However, the stigma surrounding IBD often leaves those affected feeling isolated. Many people struggle in silence, hesitant to talk openly about their condition due to its sensitive and sometimes embarrassing nature.
Raising awareness can help break these barriers. By educating the public, we can promote understanding and empathy for those living with IBD. It’s also vital to advocate for more research into treatment options, clinical trials and, ultimately, a cure. Currently treatment options include biologics, stem cell therapies, and medications.
Managing Symptoms
Current treatment focuses on managing the symptoms of each disease and managing flare-ups. Treatment options include:
- Keeping to a balanced diet,
- Managing stress
- Staying active
- Fatigue management/Pacing techniques
IBD often takes a significant emotional toll. Learning how to manage and cope with anxiety, depression and body image issues is important. Several coping strategies such as mindfulness practices, therapy, and building a strong support system can go a long way to improving mental health.
The Role of Pelvic Physical Therapy
Pelvic health physical therapy plays a significant role in the management of IBD conditions. Exercise has been shown to decrease gut inflammation and improve intestinal integrity. For individuals at risk for osteoporosis and sarcopenia, a targeted exercise program can improve both bone density and muscle mass. General fatigue levels have been shown to improve with a daily exercise routine.
Interventions to improve pelvic health status of IBD patients include:
- Manual therapy
- Trigger point therapy
- Pelvic floor muscle training
- Improve pelvic floor muscle endurance and strength
- Bowel control training
- Improve coordination of bowel movement
- Rectal balloon sensation training to improve proprioception and response to fecal urgency
- Proper toileting posture
- Breathing control during bowel movement
- Correct puborectalis paradoxical contraction
- Improve pelvic floor muscle lengthening during evacuation
- Biofeedback
- Core/abdominal muscle training
- Exercises that avoid excessive increases in intra-abdominal pressure
- Bladder control training
- Urge suppression techniques
- Bladder diary
- Voiding schedule
