Saint Joseph's Digestive Disease Center: What We Treat

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis)

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of disorders that cause chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common of these diseases, affecting nearly 2 million Americans.

Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis are similar in many ways. They both cause swelling and sores along the tissue that line the digestive tract and can cause abdominal pain and frequent diarrhea. Crohn's disease can develop anywhere in the digestive tract, from the mouth to the rectum, and penetrates into the deep layers of the lining. Ulcerative colitis usually affects only the outermost layer of the tissue lining the colon (the large intestine).

Diagnosis

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are so similar that they often are mistaken for each other. Making an accurate diagnosis is important so that an individual can receive the most effective treatment for his or her disease. Saint Joseph’s gastroenterologists have extensive experience in diagnosing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and are skilled in distinguishing between the two based on symptoms and test results.

Treatment

Drugs are an effective means for treating early inflammatory bowel disease, relieving symptoms and maintaining remission. The most commonly prescribed drugs for inflammatory bowel disease are:

• Corticosteroids such as prednisone and methylprednisone. These powerful drugs reduce the inflammation in the intestines and can aid in the treatment of fistulas.
• Aminosalicylates such as sulfasalazine and olsalazine. These are aspirin-like anti-inflammatory agents, often used as the first-line treatment in early disease.
• Immunosuppressives such as 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine. These drugs control the immune response and can help maintain a remission and reduce the dose of corticosteroids.
• Metronidazole, an antibiotic with immune system effects. It is helpful in patients with fissures or abscesses, particularly in anal disease.

For more information or to make a referral, please call call 404-851-5533.