Inflammatory Bowel Disease

What is inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation, swelling, and ulcerations when the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the digestive tract.

Researchers are still investigating what causes someone to develop IBD but theorize it may occur from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. 

What are the types of inflammatory bowel disease?

There are two primary types of IBD: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease.

Ulcerative colitis

UC causes inflammation of the inner lining of the large intestine or rectum. 

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease causes inflammation in the deeper layers of the digestive tract and may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract — from mouth to anus. 

UC and Crohn’s disease cause similar symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, gastrointestinal bleeding, and fatigue. Both conditions may also affect other parts of the body, causing rashes on the skin or swelling of the joints. 

What tests diagnose inflammatory bowel disease?

Capitol GI specializes in diagnostic testing for IBD. After performing a thorough history and physical exam, your gastroenterologist determines what types of testing you need to confirm or rule out IBD. Testing may include:

Blood tests

The board-certified gastroenterologists order blood tests to look for signs of anemia, which may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding.

Stool tests

Capitol GI performs stool tests to rule out other conditions that might explain your symptoms, like a gastrointestinal infection.

Endoscopic procedures

Endoscopic procedures, such as the upper endoscopy and capsule endoscopy, and colonoscopy, allow your gastroenterologist to find areas of inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract, confirming your diagnosis. 

Capitol GI may also order imaging tests such as a small bowel X-ray, MR enterography (MRI that gives detailed images of the small intestine), or CT scan.

What are the treatments for inflammatory bowel disease?

IBD is a chronic condition, but with the right plan, you can manage the disease and the symptoms it causes. Capitol GI customizes plans based on the IBD type, symptoms, and severity of the inflammation and ulcerations.

Treatment for IBD includes medication, nutrition therapy, and emotional support. Your gastroenterologist may perform surgery to remove the diseased portions of the bowel when appropriate. 

For comprehensive care for inflammatory bowel disease, call Capitol GI or schedule an appointment online today.