About Crohn’s and colitis

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are Iife long gastrointestinal disorders that commonly present themselves in children, adolescents and adulthood.

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can cause inflammation anywhere in the digestive system.

Crohn’s disease symptoms

Symptoms of Crohn’s disease can be different for each person and can be serious or mild. Symptoms will depend on where inflammation appears in your gut. 

Crohn’s disease diagnosis

Crohn’s disease can affect anyone at any stage in their life but symptoms usually appear in teenagers and young adults. 

Crohn’s disease treatment

Crohn’s disease cannot be cured yet but it can be managed through medication, lifestyle choices and sometimes surgery. 

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Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can cause inflammation and ulceration in the large intestine (colon and rectum).

Ulcerative colitis symptoms

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis can be different for each person and may be serious or mild. Symptoms will depend on how much of the large intestine has become inflamed and how strong the inflammation is. 

Ulcerative colitis diagnosis

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis are similar to many other conditions so several tests will likely be needed before you can get a diagnosis. In many cases doctors will want to make sure that your symptoms aren’t caused by an infection or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

Ulcerative colitis treatment

The aim of treatment is to reduce symptoms, inflammation and stay in remission so that the body can heal itself. Since ulcerative colitis affects everyone differently, each person will need to work with their healthcare team to discover what works best for them. Treatment may also need to change over time if they become less effective. 

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Other types of IBD

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can cause inflammation and ulceration in the large intestine (colon and rectum).

Microscopic Colitis

Microscopic colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can cause inflammation in the large intestine (colon).

Young people with Crohn’s and colitis

Information and resources to help with children and teenagers living with an IBD

Moving from paediatric to adult care

Moving from paediatric care to adult care in the health system is a learning process. 

Students with IBD

A guide for primary, secondary and tertiary educators.