Crohn’s Disease Treatment in Columbus, GA
Crohn’s-Related Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment for Patients Throughout West Central Georgia and East Central Alabama
Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the body’s own cells, particularly those along the gastrointestinal tract.
Crohn’s disease is an incurable condition that can develop at any age and flare up sporadically throughout a patient’s life. Flare-ups come and go in waves. Once someone has developed Crohn’s, management is necessary to help reduce flare-ups, lessen their severity, or at least manage them while they last.
Inflammatory bowel disease affects roughly 2.4 million people nationwide, 1 million of whom have Crohn’s disease. If you have Crohn’s or are suffering from Crohn’s symptoms, the gastroenterologists at Southeastern Gastroenterology provide diagnosis and management solutions so that you can get back to feeling like yourself again.
settingsSchedule Treatment for Crohn’s Disease Today: (706) 655-8800
What Is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) where components or sections of the gastrointestinal tract become inflamed for some time. While Crohn’s can strike anywhere along the digestive or gastrointestinal tract, in most cases, inflammation occurs at the ileum, or the area where the small and large intestines meet.
Types of Crohn’s disease include:
Ileocolitis
Ileocolitis is the most common type of Crohn’s disease that affects the ileum, or the area where the small and larger intestines connect.
Colitis
Colitis occurs when there is inflammation in the lining of the large intestine.
Ileitis
Ileitis occurs when there is inflammation in the lining of the small intestine.
Gastroduodenal Crohn’s
Gastroduodenal Crohn’s involves inflammation of the stomach and upper area of the small intestine.
Jejunitis
Jejunitis involves patches of inflammation in the upper half of the small intestine.
Perianal disease
Perianal disease involves inflammation around the anus.
Once inflammation strikes, the area becomes swollen and irritated, leading to severe discomfort and pain for the patient. Inflammation comes and goes throughout a person’s life, but flare-ups can include painful, uncomfortable symptoms.
Crohn’s Disease Treatment From Southeastern Gastroenterology
Our GI specialists in Columbus, GA, offer thorough diagnosis and treatment for Crohn’s disease and IBD. With proper monitoring and management, Crohn’s patients can extend the time between flare-ups and minimize the pain associated with flare-ups as much as possible. Routine management also allows your GI doctor to monitor additional health issues that may develop as a result of Crohn’s.
Exam
In the exam portion, you and your GI specialist will talk about your medical history and symptoms, including details like:
- Family history of Crohn’s disease
- Personal history with Crohn’s disease or Crohn’s symptoms
Your doctor will also perform a physical exam to check for signs of inflammation.
Testing
In addition to evaluating your history and current symptoms, we may also require tests like:
Endoscopy
We will insert a flexible tube, or endoscope, into the mouth and down to the GI tract to check for inflammation. This requires a mild sedative.
Colonoscopy
We will insert a flexible tube, or colonoscope, into the rectum and up to the entire colon to observe inflammation. This requires sedation.
Sigmoidoscopy
Similar to a colonoscopy, a sigmoidoscopy requires the insertion of a tube into the rectum to access the lower part of the large intestine and look for evidence of Crohn’s disease.
GI series:
You will drink a barium solution before we take a series of X-ray images to observe the functions of the GI tract.
Small bowel follow-through
You will drink a barium solution that will coat the inside of the GI tract. Using a fluoroscope, your doctor will observe the barium in the small intestine and check for issues.
Barium enema
We will insert a thin tube into the rectum and apply a barium solution. Using a fluoroscope, we will observe how it fills the colon.
Capsule endoscopy
You will swallow a capsule, roughly the size of a large vitamin, that contains a camera. Images will be captured and sent to a recorder as the pill works its way through your GI tract. Your doctor will review the images.
Stool culture
You will provide a sample of your stool for testing.
Treatment
While Crohn’s is an incurable condition, treatment and management are possible. Treatment for Crohn’s can involve a combination of medications, antibiotics, and possibly even surgery.
Some Crohn’s treatment solutions can include:
- Prescription medications to help reduce inflammation along the GI tract.
- Antibiotics if your condition has led to the formation of abscesses or fistulas (abnormal, tube-like connections that connect the bowel to nearby organs or structures).
- Surgery if medications and antibiotics are not effective at treating abscesses or fistulas.
Management
There is not much that is understood about Crohn’s, so it can be challenging to manage and treat. However, there are a few ways to help optimize your health and try to prevent flare-ups:
- Eat nutrient-rich meals: Eating a well-balanced diet that is rich in protein and vitamins can help optimize your GI tract and reduce flare-ups.
- Avoid food triggers: Pay attention to what you eat before a flare-up occurs, and try identifying the foods you think trigger a flare-up. If you are sensitive to certain foods like gluten or dairy, avoid anything that includes them.
Schedule a Crohn’s Disease Evaluation: Call (706) 655-8800 Today.
Symptoms, Causes, Side Effects, and Risk Factors of Crohn’s Disease
The following are common symptoms, causes, side effects, and risk factors of Crohn’s disease.
Crohn’s Symptoms
Common symptoms or warning signs of Crohn’s are typically chronic and include:
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Abdominal sounds (such as gurgling or splashing)
- Foul-smelling stools
Crohn’s Causes
Not a lot is known about what causes Crohn’s. However, it is believed to be related to things like:
- Family history
- Genetics
- Immune system malfunction
- Microbiome balance, or gut health
- Smoking
Crohn’s Side Effects
In addition to typical Crohn’s symptoms, this disease can cause side effects that include:
- Arthritis/joint pain
- Skin rashes
- Inflamed eyes
- Kidney stones
- Osteoporosis
- Anal skin tags
- Bile duct inflammation
- Delayed growth in children/failure to thrive
Crohn’s Risk Factors
You’re more at risk of developing Crohn’s if you:
- Have a family history of Crohn’s or IBD
- Are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent
- Smoke
Southeastern Gastroenterology Cares for Your GI Tract and Gut Health
Southeastern Gastroenterology is dedicated entirely to your GI health for the benefit of your overall well-being. We strive to make sure you have a positive experience receiving care from our GI doctors by combining fast appointment scheduling with compassionate and honest communication and cutting-edge solutions. In addition to our Crohn’s management and care, we offer healthcare solutions for all other GI conditions you may be experiencing or suffering from.
- Acid Reflux and Heartburn
- Barrett’s Esophagus
- Celiac Disease
- Colon Cancer
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Other Conditions
Additional Conditions We Treat
- In-Office Services
- In-Hospital Procedures
- Pediatric Services
- Endoscopy Services