What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation into the deep layers of your bowel. The inflammation most often affects the last portion of the small intestines or the colon.
With Crohn’s disease you may experience:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Diarrhea
- Blood in your stool
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
There’s no single test for diagnosing Crohn’s disease. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, the team at SoHo Gastroenterology: Dr. Murray Orbuch, MD, may need to run a series of tests, such as blood tests, colonoscopy, or MRI, to confirm that your symptoms are due to inflammatory bowel disease.
What are the treatments for Crohn’s disease?
Currently, there’s no cure for Crohn’s disease and no single treatment works for everyone. The team at SoHo Gastroenterology: Dr. Murray Orbuch, MD, works one-on-one with you to develop a treatment plan that can reduce your flare-ups and improve your quality of life.
Your Crohn’s disease treatment plan may include:
- Mesalamines, non-absorbed corticosteroids
- Immune modulating medications, such as 6-MP, azothioprine or methotrexate
- Antibiotics
- Biologicals such as infliximab, adalimumab, ustekinumab and vedolizumab
- Novel agents like tofacitinib
- Enrollment in clinical trials for even newer agents
You may also need to make modifications to your diet and avoid foods that cause irritation, such as dairy or foods high in fat.
What is ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the innermost lining of your large intestines. The symptoms may develop slowly over time, but the damage caused by the condition can be life-threatening.
Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:
- Abdominal pain
- Rectal pain
- Diarrhea tinged with blood or pus
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
Researchers aren’t certain what causes someone to develop ulcerative colitis, but theorize that it may have something to do with a malfunction in the immune system that causes the immune system to attack your large intestines.
If you’re experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, the team at SoHo Gastroenterology: Dr. Murray Orbuch, MD, can conduct a comprehensive examination, including specialized testing such as colonoscopy, to determine if your symptoms are due to ulcerative colitis.
What are the treatments for ulcerative colitis?
Treatment for ulcerative colitis may include medication to control the inflammation and/or surgery. The team at SoHo Gastroenterology: Dr. Murray Orbuch, MD, can review all of your treatment options and, together with you, determine the best course of action to minimize your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
To schedule an evaluation with the experienced gastroenterology team at SoHo Gastroenterology: Dr. Murray Orbuch, MD, call the office or request an appointment online today.
