When Pamela’s son was just 11 years old, he was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. People with IBD may develop either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, both serious chronic diseases. Common symptoms for both diseases may include diarrhea, stomach cramps, weight loss, and urgent need to defecate, according to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Because of these similarities, both diseases are often difficult to diagnose.