Inflammatory Bowel Disease Specialist

What is inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic ailments characterized by inflammation of your digestive tract. The Gastroenterology Group Inc providers treat both kinds of inflammatory bowel disease. They are:

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers (open sores) to form in the lining of your large intestine and rectum.

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease causes inflammation throughout your entire digestive tract. Over time, that makes it difficult to eat, get adequate nutrition, and maintain a healthy weight.

What are the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?

Symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease include:

• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Cramping
• Blood in your stool
• Reduced appetite

As inflammatory bowel disease gets worse, you could also experience significant weight loss.

When should I see a gastroenterologist about inflammatory bowel disease?

Make an appointment at The Gastroenterology Group if you experience a significant change in your bowel habits or have inflammatory bowel disease symptoms. Those symptoms include blood in your stool and frequent abdominal cramping. The sooner you receive treatment, the less likely you will experience potentially life-threatening complications.

Who is at risk of inflammatory bowel disease?

Anyone can develop inflammatory bowel disease, but several things increase your risk, including:

• Being younger than 30
• Having a family history of inflammatory bowel disease
• Smoking
• Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication

You’re also more likely to experience inflammatory bowel disease if you’re of European descent.

How is inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed?

To diagnose inflammatory bowel disease, your provider at The Gastroenterology Group reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms. They’ll want to know when your symptoms started and if they’re worse after eating or drinking certain foods and beverages.

Next, they complete a physical exam and order several lab tests, including blood work and a stool sample. Blood work can rule out conditions like anemia and infection. A stool sample can test for hidden organisms like viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

If lab tests don’t provide enough information, your provider might order an imaging procedure like a colonoscopy, a flexible sigmoidoscopy, or an upper endoscopy. These procedures allow your provider to see the lining of your esophagus, colon, or other parts of your digestive tract.

How is inflammatory bowel disease treated?

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease typically includes a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, prescription medication, and, when necessary, surgery. Your provider at The Gastroenterology Group might recommend:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Immune system suppressors
• Biologics
• Antibiotics
• Anti-diarrheal medications
• Pain relievers
• Vitamins and supplements

The treatment goal is to reduce inflammation, relieve uncomfortable symptoms, and improve your quality of life.

To learn more about the available treatments for inflammatory bowel disease, make an appointment at The Gastroenterology Group today or click the online booking feature.