(IBD)
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- What is IBD?
- Symptoms of IBD
- Causes of IBD
- Prevention of IBD
- Risk factors for IBD
- Complications of IBD
- When to see a doctor about IBD
- Diagnosis of IBD
- Conventional treatment of IBD
- Alternative/complementary treatment of IBD
- Living with IBD
- Caring for someone with IBD
Diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Initial diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes:
- Medical history - the doctor will ask a series of questions about your symptoms (especially the duration and severity), your diet, your family medical history (if anyone else has similar symptoms or other gastrointestinal disorders)
- Physical examination - the doctor (or gastroenterologist) will examine your abdominal area for pain or discomfort, as well as examining other parts of your body if needed (your hands, eyes and mouth)
If the initial diagnosis warrant it, the following tests can be done to further evaluate the symptoms:
- Blood test - this is ordered to test iron, haemoglobin, vitamin B12 and other nutrients. A blood test can also determine malnourishment or coeliac disease
- Stool sample - this is ordered to determine if there is any blood in the stools or if there is a bacterial infection in the bowel present
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Once the doctor (or gastroenterologist) has reviewed the medical history and determines that further investigation is warranted, the following tests can be ordered:
- Barium meal - is often performed to rule out any other disorders of the bowel, such as ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as it can show ulcerations of the bowel and stomach, narrowing of the bowel and fistulas in the bowel (little pockets in the bowel). This test is not performed much in Australia any more as a CAT scan can show the same information without having to enduring the ingestion of the barium (less invasive)
- CAT scan - a computerised x-ray of the abdominal area which can show if there are any abscesses in any part of the bowel
- MRI - magnetic resonance imaging, can show clear pictures of the body tissues and organs, so it can show abscesses and other abnormalities in the bowel
- Colonoscopy - a gastroenterologist performs this test and it involves having a colonoscope (small, flexible tube with a camera and light at the end) being inserted into the colon (from the anus) to get a better view of the colon (or bowel) and determine level of inflammation and disease progression, and to take a sample of the colon (a biopsy). The colonoscopy is usually performed under light sedation and takes only about 10-15 minutes to be completed
- Video capsule endoscopy - this is a newer test, only recently available, which is used to diagnose Crohn's disease. A tiny video inside a capsule is swallowed, which gives clear images of the whole gastrointestinal tract as it travels through it. This test is not recommended if there are any suspected bowel obstruction as it can cause a worsening of the obstruction
- Gynaecological exam - many women with abdominal pain may need to undergo a gynaecological exam to rule out any gynaecological problems, if their symptoms warrant
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< 7: when to see a doctor 9: conventional treatment > Last reviewed: 31 July 2008 || Last updated: 14 February 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
