Inflammatory Bowel Disease Specialist

What is inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease is a blanket term that describes two different conditions:

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers –– small, painful sores –– to form in the lining of your large intestine and rectum.

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease causes your entire digestive tract to become irritated and inflamed. Over time, this irritation triggers uncomfortable symptoms that can interfere with your quality of life.

What are the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?

The symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease differ depending on how severe the condition is and where the inflammation is. Telltale signs include:

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

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

When should I visit a doctor for inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. If you notice any changes in your bowel habits or regularly experience diarrhea and abdominal cramping, make an appointment at North Texas Gastroenterology Associates PLLC as soon as possible.

Early diagnosis and treatment can ease your symptoms and help you live a longer, more active life.

How is inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed?

To diagnose inflammatory bowel disease, North Texas Gastroenterology Associates PLLC reviews your health history, asks you about your symptoms, and completes a physical exam. They then order tests, including a stool study, a colonoscopy, and blood panels, to rule out other possible problems like anemia and infection.

If these procedures don’t provide enough information to make a diagnosis, your doctor will order an X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan to rule out more serious complications like a perforated colon.

How is inflammatory bowel disease treated?

Inflammatory bowel disease is incurable at this time. It’s still possible, though, to reduce its inflammation with a combination of healthy lifestyle changes and medical treatments. North Texas Gastroenterology Associates PLLC could recommend:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Immune system suppressors
• Antibiotics
• Anti-diarrheal medicine
• Vitamins and nutritional supplements
• Biologics

Biologics are a medication containing lab-grown antibodies. When these antibodies enter your bloodstream, they block the production of specific proteins, decreasing inflammation throughout your body.

If medication, diet, and lifestyle changes don’t provide significant relief, surgery might be necessary. The goal of surgery is to remove the damaged portion of your digestive tract, making it easier to eat and live comfortably.

To learn more about treating inflammatory bowel disease, request a consultation at North Texas Gastroenterology Associates PLLC. Call the nearest office to speak with a team member, or book online today.