Ulcerative Colitis vs Crohn's Disease

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two main forms of inflammatory bowel diseases. They are both conditions characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. **Similarities:** Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease affect men and women equally The symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are very similar The causes of both UC and Crohn's disease are not known and both diseases have similar types of contributing factors such as environmental, genetic and an inappropriate response by the body's immune system **** Differences**** Ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon while Crohn's disease can occur anywhere between the mouth and the anus In Crohn's disease, there are healthy parts of the intestine mixed in between inflamed areas. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, is continuous inflammation of the colon Ulcerative colitis only affects the inner most lining of the colon while Crohn's disease can occur in all the layers of the bowel walls