Final answer:
Answer A) is correct: Ulcerative colitis presents with symptoms of bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain, continuous colonic involvement, and is limited to the mucosal layer, which distinguishes it from Crohn's disease that can affect any part of the GI tract and involves multiple layers of the intestinal wall.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ulcerative Colitis vs. Crohn's Disease
The correct answer for the question about the characteristics of ulcerative colitis is A) 1: Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain; 2: Continuous colonic involvement; 3: Limited to mucosal layer. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the colon and rectum. The main symptoms include lower abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Unlike Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis has continuous involvement of the colon and is limited to the mucosal layer, whereas Crohn's disease may have 'skip lesions' and can affect multiple layers across the entire GI tract.Your symptoms can improve with lifestyle changes, such as reducing animal protein and alcohol consumption, and medications are available that suppress the immune system or act as anti-inflammatory agents.
Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can significantly impact quality of life and may increase the risk for colon cancer, warranting regular screenings. Key differences include Crohn's disease's potential to affect any part of the GI tract while ulcerative colitis remains largely confined to the colon and rectum. Additionally, Crohn's disease's transmural involvement may lead to more complex complications such as fistulas and strictures.