World Crohn’s and Colitis Day is annually observed on May 23. Crohn’s disease and colitis are the two most prevalent forms of IBD. I.B.D. affects approximately 7 million individuals worldwide. Although it is not a common disease, an increasing number of people have been diagnosed over the past two decades. Inflammatory bowel disease (I.B.D.) is a serious, chronic digestive disease for which there is no cure, no identified cause, and little awareness of the agony and suffering endured by IBD patients. World Crohn’s and Colitis Day raises awareness of these patients’ struggles.
HISTORY OF WORLD CROHN’S AND COLITIS DAY
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis were largely unknown for many years. Two English clinicians, Wilks and Moxon, were the first to identify ulcerative colitis in 1875, distinguishing it from infectious diarrheal diseases. Before the Civil War, there were reports of a disease with symptoms akin to ulcerative colitis. The disease was not identified as a distinct illness until 1875.
Suzanne Rosenthal began enduring severe digestive issues in 1956. For years, physicians had no notion what was wrong with her and had even misdiagnosed her. In the 1960s, prompted by Suzanne’s experience, the Rosenthals began investigating funding options for Crohn’s and colitis research.
The Rosenthals, the Models, and Dr. Henry Janowitz founded the National Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis on September 12, 1967, to address the issue of Crohn’s and Colitis. Not until 1932 did three physicians, Burrill Crohn, Leon Ginzberg, and Gordon D. Oppenheimer, first describe Crohn’s disease. At the time, it was believed that intestinal tuberculosis was the only disease affecting the small intestine. The information compiled from 14 patients with abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, fever, and weight loss revealed that the symptoms were not caused by tuberculosis or any other known disease. Initially, they identified a new disease entity dubbed “regional ileitis,” followed by Crohn’s disease. I.B.D. was inadequately understood for many years following the discovery of Crohn’s and Colitis, and little research was conducted on the causes and treatments of Crohn’s and Colitis, let alone a search for cures.
5 FACTS ON CHROHN’S DISEASE AND COLITIS
- As it can exacerbate the symptoms of colitis, stress can pose a health risk.
- It is unknown what causes ulcerative colitis, but it is believed to be a genetic immune disorder.
- Without treatment, Crohn’s disease can progress to malignancy.
- Symptoms of Crohn’s disease vary from individual to individual.
- There are a variety of forms of ulcerative colitis.
WORLD CROHN’S AND COLITIS DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 23 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | May 23 | Thursday |
| 2025 | May 23 | Friday |
| 2026 | May 23 | Saturday |
| 2027 | May 23 | Sunday |
