HOW IS INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE DIAGNOSED?
The first step in pursuing any chronic problem is a metabolic database. This means a basic blood panel and urinalysis to rule out more biochemically widespread problems (such as liver disease or kidney disease) which could be responsible for the signs. Since inflammatory bowel disease is localized to the GI tract, such a database is usually normal (but might express a general inflammatory response in the blood or a loss of blood proteins as often there is a leaking of albumin (an important blood protein) from the intestine into the bowel contents). Radiographs may also be a good idea to rule out growths in the abdomen or tumors which could be accounting for the chronic problems. A trial of a simple medication such as metaclopramide (Reglan) or metronidazole (Flagyl) is often performed to see if there is symptomatic relief. If this kind of non-invasive testing is not revealing then the definitive test for inflammatory bowel disease is needed: a biopsy. Tissue samples must be harvested f
Based on your symptoms, your doctor may suspect that you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Your bowel movements may be tested for germs and the presence of blood. Your doctor will probably look inside your intestines with a sigmoidoscope or a colonoscope. In these procedures, the doctor uses a narrow flexible tube to look directly inside your intestines. Special x-rays may be helpful in diagnosing this illness.
Based on your symptoms, your doctor may suspect that you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Your bowel movements will be tested for germs and the presence of blood. A doctor will look inside your intestines with a sigmoidoscope or a colonoscope. In these procedures, the doctor uses a narrow flexible tube to look directly inside your intestines. Special barium enema X-rays may be helpful in diagnosing your illness. How is inflammatory bowel disease treated? You will most likely be treated by a team of doctors. This team may include your family physician, a gastroenterologist (a specialist in stomach and intestinal disorders) and, possibly, a surgeon. The goal of treatment is to get rid of the inflammation by taking anti-inflammatory medicines. Some of these medicines are sulfasalazine (brand name: Azulfidine), olsalazine (brand name: Dipentum) and mesalamine (brand names: Asacol, Pentasa, Rowasa). An antibiotic such as metronidazole (brand names: Flagyl, Protostat) may be helpf
Based on your symptoms, your doctor may suspect that you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Your bowel movements will be tested for germs and the presence of blood. A doctor will look inside your intestines with a sigmoidoscope or a colonoscope. In these porocedures, the doctor uses a narrow flexible tube to look directly inside your intestines. Special barium enema X-rays may be helpful in diagnosing your illness. How is inflammatory bowel disease treated? The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself. It’s important to eat a health diet. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may ask you to cut down on the amount of fiber or dariy products in your diet. In addition to eating well, you need to get enough rest. It’s also important that you learn to manage the stress in your life. When you become overly upset by things that happen at home or at work, your intestinal problems can get worse. You will most likely be treated by a team of doctors. This team may include yo
How is inflammatory bowel disease treated? How can I get more information? Inflammatory Bowel Disease Printer-friendly version Email this article What is inflammatory bowel disease? Inflammatory bowel disease is the name of a group of disorders that cause the intestines to become inflamed (red and swollen). The inflammation lasts a long time and usually comes back over and over again. More than 600,000 Americans have some kind of inflammatory bowel disease every year. If you have inflammatory bowel disease, you may have abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, weight loss and bleeding from your intestines. Two kinds of inflammatory bowel disease are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease usually causes ulcers (open sores) along the length of the small and large intestines. Crohn’s disease either spares the rectum, or causes inflammation or infection with drainage around the rectum. Ulcerative colitis usually causes ulcers in the lower part of the large intestine, often sta