Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis
Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases – Causes, Diagnosis, and Therapy
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are conditions affecting the intestinal mucosa and can occur both early in life and later in adulthood. The most common symptoms include:
• Diarrhea
• Bloody or mucus-filled stools
• Abdominal pain
• Abscesses, fistulas, or strictures in the intestine
Early Diagnosis – Crucial for successful treatment
Prompt diagnosis is essential to prevent complications. Early therapy can often help avoid severe disease progression. Thanks to modern medications, surgery is no longer necessary in many cases.
Diagnostic Methods for IBD
Diagnosing chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) involves several steps:
1. Stool and blood tests: Provide initial evidence of inflammation, including specific markers.
2. Colonoscopy: Visual examination and tissue sampling from the colon and the terminal ileum to establish an accurate diagnosis.
3. Imaging techniques: Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to detect abscesses, bowel wall thickening, strictures, or other complications.
Treatment options
Thanks to modern medications, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases can often be treated without surgery. The goal of therapy is to control inflammation, relieve symptoms, and significantly improve patients’ quality of life. With my expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of IBD, I work closely with specialized gastroenterologists to offer you the best possible care tailored to your individual needs – as early as possible to avoid complications.
