Description Describes two infla...
Description
Describes two inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bowel usually affecting the lower portion of the small intestine. Other portions of the large and small intestine may become inflamed with normal areas in between involved areas. The entire thickness of the bowel is affected and the diseased bowel can become attached to the surrounding organs causing abnormal connections between them (fistulas). Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bowel affecting the large intestine. Only the inner lining of the intestine is inflamed and the rectum is the most commonly involved area. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have a higher incidence of intestinal cancer. Both diseases tend to run in families but their cause is unknown.
Symptoms
Crampy abdominal (belly area) pain, fever, fatigue, persistent diarrhea, blood in the stool.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Additional tests to establish the diagnosis include: barium enema, colonoscopy (with biopsy), CT scan of the abdomen, endoscopy, MRI of the abdomen, sigmoidoscopy with enteroscopy, small bowel X-ray series, and/or upper GI series.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Barium enema, colonoscopy, endoscopy, small bowel series
Specialists:
Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Colon and Rectal Surgery
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Additional tests to establish the diagnosis include: barium enema, colonoscopy (with biopsy), CT scan of the abdomen, endoscopy, MRI of the abdomen, sigmoidoscopy with enteroscopy, small bowel X-ray series, and/or upper GI series.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Barium enema, colonoscopy, endoscopy, small bowel series
Specialists:
Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Colon and Rectal Surgery
Treatment
The goal of medical treatment is to suppress the inflammation in the small and/or large intestine. This will improve the symptoms of pain and diarrhea and allow the intestinal tissues to heal. Once the symptoms are under control, medical treatment is used to decrease the frequency of flare-ups and to maintain remission. Common treatments include steroids, aminosalicylates, antibiotics and immune modification medications, such as infliximab. Probiotics may help prevent flares of the disease. Surgery may be recommended for severe cases.