Hello, woodprint,
Two main types of Inflammatory bowel diseases include Ulcerative
colitis and Crohn's Diasease.
Ulcerative colitis only affects the large bowel or the colon , either the
lower part or all of the colon. Symtoms are bloody
diarrhea , abdominal
pain,
weight loss,
fatigue etc. depending upon the extent and severity.
Crohn's disease most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine
called the ileum and the beginning of the colon called the cecum (Ileo-cecal).
But Crohn's can affect any portion of the digestive tract from the mouth down
to the
anal canal.
The only cure for ulcerative colitis is removal of the colon , but there are very
effective drugs that can keep the disease under remission.
Crohn's disease cannot be cured by surgery because it has a tendency to show
up in other parts of the intestine.There are also lot of complications such as
abscess, abnormal tracts called fistulae , obstruction, bleeding etc.
Both of these are chronic conditions and requires life time treatment except in
the case of ulcerative colitis , total removal of colon can cure the disease.
Both qualify as medical disabilities.
Crohn's can be diagnosed with a combination of
endoscopy, biopsy, and
certain special blood markers such as pANCA & pASCA etc.
You can discuss these with your doctors.
I wish you well.